House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Adoption Reform Bills

Feb. 03, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee will consider six bills to designed to reform the adoption process in Pennsylvania. House Bills 57 and 58, sponsored by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), would streamline and expedite the procedures for terminating parental rights, and shorten the period in which a birth parent can revoke his/her consent; House Bill 59, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams), would allow adoptive families to appeal the amount of an adoption subsidy provided by local authorities; House Bill 61, sponsored by Rep. Harry Lewis (R-Chester), would make it easier for parents who are incarcerated to relinquish their parental rights by allowing correctional staff to witness the individual’s consent to adoption; and House Bills 62 and 63, sponsored by Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), would eliminate the hearing currently required to confirm parental consent, and refine the definition of “intermediary” to include a licensed attorney or social worker.

Barrar, House Committee to Vote on Bills Benefiting Veterans

Feb. 02, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will hold a committee meeting to adopt the committee rules for the new legislative session and vote on three bills:

Toohil Reintroduces Postpartum Depression Bill

Jan. 31, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Seeking to assist mothers in Pennsylvania who are struggling with postpartum depression and their infants, Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today reintroduced legislation that would make them eligible for Early Intervention services. Toohil was the prime sponsor of a similar measure during the 2015-16 session that stalled in committee.

Mackenzie Assigned to House Committees, Leadership Positions

Jan. 31, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – With the start of the 2017-18 legislative session, it was announced that state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) was re-appointed as deputy majority whip and deputy chair of the Majority Policy Committee. He will also serve as a member of four House standing committees: Commerce, Environmental Resources & Energy, Insurance, and Labor & Industry.

Toohil Retains Her Seats on Important House Committees

Jan. 31, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) has been appointed to serve on the Children and Youth, Human Services, Judiciary and Professional Licensure committees during the 2017-18 legislative session in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

DiGirolamo to Unveil Proposal to Enlist New Government Approach to Drug Epidemic

Jan. 30, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), chairman of the House Human Services Committee and longtime champion of efforts to prevent drug abuse, will respond to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal to combine the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and three other agencies into a Department of Health and Human Services.

Ortitay Introduces Bill to Streamline Problem Gambling Assistance

Jan. 30, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to streamline the Commonwealth’s problem gambling assistance telephone number and codify current practice involving education, awareness and training for problem gaming.

Wentling Assigned to Four Committees

Jan. 30, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer) was assigned to serve on the Aging and Older Adult Services; Tourism and Recreation Development; Game and Fisheries; and Local Government committees during the 2017-18 legislative session.

Grove Issues Statement on PASSHE Strategic Review

Jan. 27, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s (PASSHE) announcement of a strategic review into cost-saving measures.

Staats Named to Four Key House Committees for 2017-18

Jan. 27, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – This week, the House met and finalized assignments for its 27 standing committees. In the 2017-18 legislative session, Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) has been reappointed to the House Education Committee and the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. Staats will also take a seat on the House Liquor Control and State Government committees.

Corbin Appointed to Committees for 2017-18 Session

Jan. 27, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Becky Corbin (R-East Brandywine) was appointed this week to standing committees of the Pennsylvania House for the 2017-18 session. Corbin now serves on the following committees: Judiciary, Health, Urban Affairs, and Environmental Resources and Energy.

Ryan’s Committee Assignments Dovetail Legislative Agenda

Jan. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Members of the House of Representatives this week received their committee assignments for the 2017-18 legislative session. Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) has been assigned to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, State Government Committee, and Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.