Phillips-Hill Backs Bill to Assist Diabetic Students
Legislator also supports committee vote on welfare fraud legislation
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township) helped advance a pair of bills out of the House Health Committee Monday that address the needs of diabetic students while in school, as well as potential abuse of the welfare system. Both pieces of legislation may now be taken up by the full House.
House Bill 1625 would allow students who are capable of self-managing their diabetes to be permitted to do so while in school.
“A diagnosis of diabetes means significant life style changes for families, particularly school age boys or girls who must closely monitor blood sugar levels throughout the day,” Phillips-Hill said. “House Bill 1625 would not only allow responsible students to care for themselves in a school setting, but put in place safeguards for those students by training school personnel on their condition.”
The bill would require the state’s Department of Health and Department of Education to work together and produce training programs to educate school employees on diabetes. School nurses would in turn designate a fellow building employee to undergo the training and subsequently be permitted to administer diabetes medications.
“In addition to this safeguard, providers of school transportation would be made aware of riders who are diabetic and instruct them on what to do should that student encounter associated health problems,” added Philips-Hill.
On a predominately party-line vote, the committee also passed
House Bill 1322, which would address attempts to “double dip” when applying for public assistance. The bill requires anyone who moves to Pennsylvania to list places where they lived before and received welfare benefits.
“These individuals will be asked to look back five years,” said Phillips-Hill. “No such provision currently exists, which makes it possible for someone to receive welfare benefits in our state and at their prior place of residence if the system never catches up with their change of address.”
Questions about these or any legislative issues should be directed to Phillips-Hill’s district office at (717) 428-9889 or 1-877-207-2272.
Representative Kristin Phillips-Hill
93rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
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