Legislative Update June 17, 2021
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans June 17, 2021 | 9:49 AM
I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight legislation that I cosponsored and are on the move through the legislature. These bills and resolutions either recently passed their committees, passed the House or have been enacted.
Enacted
HB464 is now Act 20 of 2021. It updates and expands the Family Caregiver Support Program of 1990. This program provides relief for caregivers of older adults over 59; individuals with Alzheimer’s and related disorders; grandchildren being raised by grandparents; and those 18-59 years old with other disabilities being cared for by an older relative. Those last two being new under this Act. The bill removes maximum reimbursement rates for out-of-pocket expenses and prohibits anyone who has a substantiated case of disservice under the Older Adults and Adults Protective Services Acts from receiving benefits.
Passed Education Committee
HR15 would direct an analysis of the current school bus driver industry, seeking recommendations to effectively address the shortage of drivers.
HR60 would establish a committee to recommend the development of new industries, including advanced manufacturing in Pennsylvania as part of our efforts to comeback from COVID and provide jobs of the future in the Commonwealth.
Passed the House
HB253 would establish a task force to examine the opioid abuse epidemic’s impact on infants and children. The task force would make recommendations on prevention strategies; improving outcomes for pregnant and parenting women struggling with addiction; and promoting the health and safety of those at risk due to addiction.
HB1012 would provide additional payment to eligible nursing facilities providing ventilator or tracheostomy care to Medical Assistance recipients.
HR96 would urge the Secretary of the Navy to designate Philadelphia as the site of the main celebration of the 250th birthdays of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
HR103 would urge Congress to pass Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act. If you are interested in this topic, I have an upcoming Democratic Policy Committee Hearing in York at the Verandah Room, York State Fair at 10:00AM on Monday August 16th, 2021. This hearing will cover in part my bill for post-conviction review of incarcerated Veterans later diagnosed with PTSD.
HB164 would connect families of deceased veterans with burial benefits earned by the veteran by requiring funeral and cemetery entities to notify the county veterans affairs director to the death of a service person and provide the family of the deceased service person with the contact information for the county veterans affairs director.
HB941 would guarantee in-state tuition at public higher education institutions in Pennsylvania for dependents of members of the military, veterans, and civilian defense employees in cases where the family relocates between the time the student accepts admission and the first semester begins.
HB995 would establish the Veterans’ Outreach and Support Network Program, which would provide veterans and their family members with a network of participating organizations that can help veterans with the issues they face.
HB409 would establish a publicly accessible mental health care services clearinghouse where at minimum would include an online database of: Existing mental health care providers organized by county; Existing mental health care resources; National hotlines; Existing mental health care services covered under Medical Assistance and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
HB993 would allow school districts to request refunds for fees paid to the Bureau of Occupational and Industry Safety.
HB1420 would provide for a COVID-19 mental health public awareness campaign.
HB931 would provide state recognition of the title Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
HB1429 would establish criminal offenses for those who use their position of trust to financially exploit older adults or care-dependent individuals.
HB1082 would provide a toolkit of best practices and cognitive assessment tools for diagnostics of early detection of Alzheimer’s and related disorders.