Oct. 17, 2017
HARRISBURG – The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and its chairman, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), unanimously supported his bill that would allow military spouses to practice physical therapy even as they travel out of state.
“Currently, military spouses are not able to practice physical therapy without a license in the state where they wish to practice. For spouses who are frequently moving, like my daughter who moved five times in six years with her Navy husband, licenses that are immobile often prevent them from working,” Barrar said.
The bill would establish the Commonwealth’s participation in the Physical Therapists Compact, which would allow licensure reciprocity.
Two more bills also passed the committee unanimously, including Barrar’s bill that would require fire and emergency service provider companies to have a social media policy that would apply to employees, members and volunteers. The policies are intended to set guidelines about what can be posted. As emergency scenes represent someone’s bad day, it is important to be both respectful and aware of the consequences that come with posting images that can upset others. Having a policy in place would be a requirement to be eligible for grant money.
The final bill would amend Title 35 to allow fire relief funds to be used as reimbursement for fire fighters that get their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). Fire companies with truck drivers often want someone who has a CDL for safety and/or liability purposes.
As all bills received unanimous support in committee, they will now face a vote in the House.
To view footage of the House Veterans’ Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee’s meeting, click here.
Representative Stephen E. Barrar
160th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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