Watson Cheers Passage of Adult Adoptee Birth Certificate Bill

Oct. 26, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Adults who were adopted as children in Pennsylvania are just one step away from being able to obtain their original birth information under legislation currently on its way to the governor, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), a leading co-sponsor of the measure.

State Senate Unanimously Passes Phillips-Hill Legislation to Return Military Veterans, Spouses to the Classroom

Oct. 26, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by state Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township) that would accelerate the process veterans, military members and their spouses must follow when attempting to maintain state teaching certification due to frequent moves is headed to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf following unanimous passage by the state Senate. House Bill 2078 had been passed unanimously by the state House in June.

Bill to Renew ‘PA One Call’ Headed to Governor, Godshall Says

Oct. 26, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Tonight, a bill to reauthorize the law protecting underground utility infrastructure and citizens from line hits during excavation projects is on its way to the governor, said Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), whose House Consumer Affairs Committee amended the bill last week.

Benninghoff Adoptee Rights Bill to Become Law

Oct. 25, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – After eight years of legislative negotiations, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s (R-Centre/Mifflin) legislation to reinstate Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees’ rights to access their original birth certificates is on its way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

House Passes Moul Bill to Exempt Agricultural Easements, Land Bank Transfers from Retroactive Tax

Oct. 24, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote today, the House passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) that would prevent the Department of Revenue from taxing agricultural easements and land bank transfers prior to the exemption recently passed into law, which became effective on Sept. 11, 2016. Moul’s bill would also permit taxpayers to petition for a refund of taxes improperly imposed on transactions that took place prior to that date.

House Committee to Examine Temporary Licensure of Behavioral Specialists

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.

House Passes Gingrich Bill to Allow Fix of Unemployment Compensation Benefit Delivery System

Oct. 21, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – This week, the House overwhelmingly approved legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee, which would enable the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) to adequately fund its Service and Infrastructure Improvement Fund (SIIF) through 2017, and allow necessary improvements to the Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefit delivery system.

York County House Members Support Bill to Promote Career and Technical Students

Oct. 20, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The York County House Republican delegation joined its colleagues Wednesday in advancing legislation that would more accurately measure the academic proficiency of students in vocational education programs. House Bill 2381, which passed unanimously, may now be taken up by the state Senate.

Hennessey Says Aging Waiver Enrollment Issues Must Be Resolved

Oct. 20, 2016 /

HARRISBURG -- Citing a volume of reports of senior citizens not receiving home health services through the Pennsylvania Aging Waiver, and many problems with phone calls and paperwork delays, Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester/Montgomery), chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, conducted a hearing this week along with the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, to investigate a host of problems.