May. 19, 2020
HARRISBURG – With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives today unanimously approved a bill by Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) to require Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to retain records created during the COVID-19 emergency declaration for an extended time period.
“Transparency is a key component of government, especially during times of crisis. It is imperative that all records are retained,” Ecker said. “This legislation would allow us to review the state’s response so that we can learn from it, but also provide a clear window into government the public deserves.”
Ecker’s
House Bill 2505 would require the administration to retain records related to COVID-19 for 10 years after the end of the emergency order. It would apply to an executive agency, contractor, employee of a contractor or owner of a contractor. The extended retention period is designed to ensure ample time to assess what worked and what didn’t work in the state’s response.
“A wealth of records that drove state policy were created over the course of the past two months, more so than normal,” Ecker said. “The record retention extension provides policymakers with additional time to review all pertinent documents.”
The legislation, which received bipartisan support when it was previously unanimously approved by the House State Government Committee, will now be considered by the Senate.
Representative Torren Ecker
193rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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