Apr. 12, 2019 Download
A new Legislative Report Program-Podcast with Representative Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield & Elk) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. Topics discussed in this week’s program include: House Transportation Committee approves Gabler bill to Increase School Vehicle Safety; State Government Committee examines statewide plan to replace Voting Machines; Trout Season open statewide for Pennsylvania Anglers this weekend.
Apr. 12, 2019 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R- Lehigh & Berks) is now available. Topics discussed in this week’s program include: PA House approves a package of bills to protect victims’ rights in PA; Bills to change the statute of limitations in cases of child sexual abuse and to amend the state constitution to allow past victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits under consideration; Bill to help ensure increased availability of effective treatments and medications for Lyme Disease approved.
Apr. 12, 2019 Download
A new Legislative Report Program/Podcast with Representative Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. In this week’s program Rep. Gaydos discusses: Legislation to help seniors remain eligible for PACE and PACENET prescription drug benefits; Pennsylvania Prescription Price Finder website available to help seniors to price shop for medications; Her bill to prevent Pharmacy Benefit Managers from withholding drug price information from PA consumers.
Apr. 11, 2019 Download
A package of legislation designed to enhance the rights of crime victims has been approved by the Pennsylvania House. The legislative package includes bills to ensure that tender years victims and those with disabilities will be able to submit out-of-court statements, shield rape victims from irrelevant cross examination, and provide victims with a bill of rights. Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) said lawmakers should work to make sure that victims’ lives do not suffer more disruption than is necessary when interfacing with the judicial system.
Apr. 10, 2019 Download
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) to ensure that strangulation is appropriately recognized as a crime of violence under Pennsylvania Law has been approved by the Pennsylvania House. The bill was a part of an extensive package of victims’ rights legislation being moved forward this week by Republican lawmakers that are designed to protect the welfare of children, bring justice for victims of domestic abuse, and provide support for abuse victims when they must testify against their abusers. Rep. Ecker said it was particularly gratifying to know that his first piece of legislation to be approved by the House will help to protect abuse victims.
Apr. 09, 2019 Download
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). House Bill 276 would change the state Constitution and ensure crime victims have the right to receive information about their rights, receive notification of proceedings in their criminal cases, be present at court hearings, be heard at plea and sentencing proceedings, and be treated with fairness, respect and dignity. Last session, Marsy’s Law, in the form of Senate Bill 1011, passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Identical language, which is contained in Delozier’s bill, must be passed this session and then approved by voters through a ballot referendum before it can be included in the Constitution. Pennsylvania is one of only nine state Constitutions without statutory rights for victims. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
Apr. 09, 2019 Download
Lawmakers and county transportation officials recently spoke in support of bipartisan legislation to delay upcoming changes to the Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), that provides shared rides to medical appointments for MA recipients when other means are unavailable. Changes made last year to the state’s Human Services Code included a requirement that the Department of Human Services revamp the widely used transportation program to require providing services through a statewide or regional broker. While the shift may help urban counties to improve the delivery of services and achieve savings through increased federal reimbursements, there is deep concern among lawmakers that the new system could increase transportation difficulties and costs for rural areas. At a press conference held Tuesday in the state capitol, prime sponsor Rep. John Hershey (R-Franklin/Juniata/Mifflin) said delayed implementation would allow for a thorough review of the plan to determine if rural transportation needs will be met in a cost-effective manner
Apr. 09, 2019 Download
Lawmakers and county transportation officials recently spoke in support of bipartisan legislation to delay upcoming changes to the Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), that provides shared rides to medical appointments for MA recipients when other means are unavailable. Changes made last year to the state’s Human Services Code included a requirement that the Department of Human Services revamp the widely used transportation program to require providing services through a statewide or regional broker. While the shift may help urban counties to improve the delivery of services and achieve savings through increased federal reimbursements, there is deep concern among lawmakers that the new system could increase transportation difficulties and costs for rural areas. At a press conference held Tuesday in the state capitol, bill cosponsor Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) said hearings on implementation of these changes are necessary for determining what works best in PA's rural counties.
Apr. 09, 2019 Download
Lawmakers and county transportation officials recently spoke in support of bipartisan legislation to delay upcoming changes to the Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), that provides shared rides to medical appointments for MA recipients when other means are unavailable. Changes made last year to the state’s Human Services Code included a requirement that the Department of Human Services revamp the widely used transportation program to require providing services through a statewide or regional broker. While the shift may help urban counties to improve the delivery of services and achieve savings through increased federal reimbursements, there is deep concern among lawmakers that the new system could increase transportation difficulties and costs for rural areas. At a press conference held Tuesday in the state capitol, cosponsor of the bill Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) said delayed implementation would allow for a thorough review of the plan.
Apr. 05, 2019 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter & Cameron) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. Topics discussed in this week’s program include: Ag and Rural Affairs Committee to hold a meeting on a bill to protect the Dairy Industry and Milk Transportation from emergency transport limits; Rep. Causer holds town hall meeting in Emporium; Lawmakers looking at ways to help volunteer emergency services volunteer organizations; Veterans’ Resource and Job Fair to be held Tuesday, April 9 at Pitt Bradford.