Committee to Consider Two Human Services Bills

Mar. 18, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) will hold a voting meeting to consider House Resolution 147 (Gregory) directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of unused properties, buildings, and facilities owned by the Commonwealth and how to repurpose them for addiction treatment and recovery supports. This resolution was discussed at the committee hearing on March 12. Additionally, the committee will recommend House Bill 316 (Owlett) be re-referred to the House Children and Youth Committee. This legislation establishes a task force focused on the impact the opioid abuse epidemic is having on the children of the Commonwealth.

Cox, House Committee to Consider Bill to Inform Workers of Their Rights and Repeal Unconstitutional Law Related to Public Unions

Mar. 15, 2019 /

WHAT: House Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) will host a committee meeting where members will consider House Bill 785, introduced by Rep. Kate Klunk (York), that would provide non-union workers in public-sector union shops with information about their First Amendment rights and also repeal “fair share fee” provisions of Pennsylvania’s labor laws that were recently deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Committee to Examine Heffley Bills to Improve Addiction Treatment Programs

Mar. 11, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing on House Bills 424 and 596, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon). The bills would create a bed registry and a warm hand-off for addiction treatment. The Blue Guardian program from Lehigh County, which was the inspiration for the warm hand-off legislation, will make a presentation.

Committee to Examine Issues of Bed Registry, Warm Hand-Off

Mar. 11, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing on House Bills 424 and 596, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon). The bills would create a bed registry and a warm hand-off for addiction treatment. The Blue Guardian program from Lehigh County, which was the inspiration for the warm hand-off legislation, will make a presentation.

Policy Committee Continues Focus on Good Jobs for PA with Visit to The Wistar Institute

Mar. 04, 2019 /

WHAT: As part of the House Republican Caucus’s Good Jobs for PA (#GoodJobs4PA) legislative package, the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will visit Philadelphia’s Wistar Institute to discuss its mission as well as its direct relationship with the Community College of Philadelphia to educate and train students for careers in the biomedical field.

PA Game, Fish and Boat Commissions to Appear Before House Committee

Feb. 25, 2019 /

WHAT: Members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), will question both the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission PFBC) about their annual reports. Subjects to be discussed include the desire of both commissions to set their own license fees.

Good Jobs for PA Are Focus of Pittsburgh Trade Union Tours

Feb. 22, 2019 /

WHAT: As part of the House Republican Caucus’s Good Jobs for PA (#GoodJobs4PA) legislative package, the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will tour three locations in western Pennsylvania to promote workforce development. An important element of the workforce development issue in Pennsylvania is linking the trades with qualified workers. Three unions in Pittsburgh have taken a hands-on approach to this method by developing their own successful training and apprenticeship programs.

Caucus Hearing on Human Trafficking in Southeast Pennsylvania

Feb. 20, 2019 /

WHAT: The Southeast Republican Caucus will take testimony from Bucks County State law enforcement and advocacy groups on human trafficking in Southeast Pennsylvania. They will also discuss House Bill 12 that expands the definition of human trafficking to include any individual who patronizes or advertises a victim of trafficking.

Kauffman, House Judiciary Committee to Focus on Crime Victim Bills

Feb. 20, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will hold a voting meeting on legislation aimed at better protecting crime victims from abuse and violence by helping those who are victimized to testify against and confront their abusers.

Children and Youth Committee to Consider Adoption, Child Care Legislation

Feb. 15, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, chaired by state Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), will vote House Bill 235, which deals with incarcerated parents’ adoption proceedings; and House Bill 309, which addresses parents’ decision making when considering where to send their children for childcare.

Kaufer, Fellow Lawmakers to Renew Their Commitment for a Cleaner Tomorrow

Feb. 15, 2019 /

A bi-partisan group of representatives will unveil legislation to allow for community solar projects in Pennsylvania. This bill would allow homeowners who don’t have access to solar to join community members to enjoy equal the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy generation while improving the environment.

Cox, House Committee to Hear about Worker Training Programs

Feb. 15, 2019 /

WHAT: House Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) will host an informational hearing to identify policies and procedures to better align worker training and preparation programs with the needs of employers in an effort to enhance the success of workers seeking to enter or advance in the workforce.