Kauffman, Boback Call on Inspector General to Investigate DHS Handling of Grace Packer Case

Apr. 09, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – At the start of a Judiciary Committee meeting this week that focused on legislation to support child sexual assault victims, Chairman Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) announced that he and Rep. Karen Boback (R-Wyoming/Luzerne/Lackawanna), chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee, had sent a letter to Pennsylvania Inspector General Bruce Beemer asking him to investigate the handling of the case of Grace Packer by the Department of Human Services.

House Committee to Consider Child Abuse Legislation

Apr. 09, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, chaired by state Rep. Karen Boback (R-Luzerne/Lackawanna/Wyoming), will vote on two pieces of legislation dealing with different aspects of child abuse:

Committees to Examine Challenges for those with Disabilities when Traveling

Apr. 09, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), and the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by Rep. David Millard (R-Berwick), will hold a joint informational meeting on the challenges people with disabilities face when traveling.

House Passes Ryan’s National Guard Parity Legislation

Apr. 08, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – The House today passed legislation authored by Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) that would equalize the pay received by members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to that which is received by their U.S. Army counterparts.

House Supports Barrar’s Bill to Protect Pennsylvanians Facing Emergencies

Apr. 08, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – To ensure that Commonwealth residents continue to receive emergency assistance and that services are continually enhanced, the House unanimously supported legislation drafted by Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) that would provide for a sunset reauthorization of the Commonwealth’s 911 system under Title 35.

House Sends Maloney POW-MIA Bill to Senate

Apr. 08, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – The House today passed legislation authored by Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) that would require the POW/MIA flag to be flown on state grounds and buildings when the American flag is also being flown and when the POW/MIA flag can be reasonably accommodated at the location.

House Approves Delozier’s Victims Bill of Rights

Apr. 08, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Voters are one step closer to having the opportunity to decide if a victims bill of rights should be added to the Pennsylvania Constitution after the House today passed Marsy’s Law legislation authored by Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland).

Lawmakers to Discuss Medical Assistance Transportation Program Legislation

Apr. 08, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) will join Reps. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), John Hershey (R-Franklin/Juniata/Mifflin) and Pam Snyder (D-Fayette/Greene/Washington) to outline their legislation, House Bill 986, which would delay the implementation of using a statewide or regional broker to help run the current Medical Assistance Transportation Program.

Rural Business Issues to be Focus of Policy Committee Roundtable

Apr. 08, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will travel to Wellsboro, Tioga County, to host a roundtable discussion with local businesses, education institutions and organizations. Topics to be discussed will include rural broadband access, workforce development, and deregulation and government barriers to small business. This is part of the House Republican Caucus’s #GoodJobs4PA legislative package.

Committee to Gather Information on State’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Apr. 08, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold an informational meeting on maximizing the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The meeting will include discussions on ways to use best practices to streamline warm hand-offs to treat people struggling with addiction.

Judiciary Committee to Vote on Pennsylvania’s Hidden Predator Act

Apr. 05, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will hold a meeting to vote on House Bills 962 and 963. House Bill 962, sponsored by Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks), would change the civil statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, allowing childhood victims until age 55 to file suit, and provide for waivers of sovereign and governmental immunity relating to claims of childhood sexual abuse. It would also abolish the criminal statute of limitations for child sexual abuse moving forward. House Bill 963, sponsored by Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair), would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to provide for a two-year window in which civil lawsuits alleging childhood sexual abuse may be filed in court, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable statute of limitations defense.

Mihalek Appointed to House Subcommittee on Courts

Apr. 04, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny) announced today that she has been appointed to serve on the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts for the 2019-20 Legislative Session.