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.

Sonney, Committee Members to Unveil Career and Technical Education Package

Feb. 15, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), chairman of the House Education Committee, will host a press conference to unveil a bipartisan package of eight bills designed to improve career and technical education (CTE) in Pennsylvania. The bills are the result of a report issued by the former Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness.

House Majority Policy Committee to Hold Capitol Hearing to Save Our Health Care

Feb. 13, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will hold a public hearing to save our health care by studying the issue of venue with respect to medical malpractice legal actions in Pennsylvania. At issue is a proposal to the court to unilaterally repeal a rule that prevents medical malpractice plaintiffs from filing civil lawsuits in counties with more favorable jury payouts. Since it was adopted in the early 2000s, the rule has helped stabilize medical malpractice insurance rates, keeping doctors practicing in Pennsylvania and alleviating a shortage of physicians and specialists.

House Majority Policy Committee Reschedules Save Our Health Care Hearing

Feb. 11, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will hold a public hearing to save our health care by studying the issue of venue with respect to medical malpractice lawsuits in Pennsylvania. At issue is a proposal to the court to unilaterally repeal a rule that prevents medical malpractice plaintiffs from filing civil lawsuits in counties with more favorable jury payouts. Since it was adopted in the early 2000s, the rule has helped stabilize medical malpractice insurance rates, keeping doctors practicing in Pennsylvania and alleviating a shortage of physicians and specialists.