Oct. 21, 2016
WHAT: The House Insurance Committee, led by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), will hold an informational meeting to learn more about temporary licensure of behavioral specialists and two corresponding pieces of legislation:
House Bill 1559 (sponsored by Rep. Tom Murt, R-Montgomery/Philadelphia), which would establish a temporary graduate behavior specialist license; and House Bill 2010 (sponsored by Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-Bucks), which would make it easier for licensed professionals to supervise those working to get their licenses. Both are the result of a 2008 law that created licensure requirements for behavior specialists working with children with autism and the subsequent difficulty in hiring enough specialists to staff caseloads.
WHO: Pickett and members of the Insurance Committee. Among those offering testimony will be Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas and representatives from a variety of groups, including the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Inc. of Edwardsville; Step by Step Inc. of Wilkes-Barre; Wesley Spectrum Services of Wexford; TP Ponessa and Associates Counseling Services Inc. of Lancaster; the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association of Harrisburg; Disability Rights Pennsylvania; and Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.
WHERE: B-31 Main Capitol, Capitol Complex, Harrisburg.
LIVE WEBSTREAMING: The meeting will be streamed live at www.PAHouseGOP.com and
RepPickett.com.
Media contact: Jennifer Keaton, 717.705.2094,
jkeaton@pahousegop.com