Both the House and Senate were in session this week in Harrisburg. The PA Catholic Conference saw a number of bills passed that we support. That included–in the House– a package of 8 bills to combat human trafficking and a bill to assure that clergy members would not be prevented from visiting long-term care facilities during any future government emergencies. There were also 3 pro-life bills that passed the House Health Committee.
Here are the postings that we made this week as these events occurred.
Lawmakers are back at the Capitol today! Just underway…this joint public hearing by the Education and Human Services Committees on mental health services provided to PA’s secondary students in the wake of the pandemic and resulting shutdown. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/sypuExY2TR
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
Rep. Curt Sonney and Rep. Stephen Kinsey ask Sherri Smith of the PA Dept. of Education about the issue of ‘chronic absenteeism’ over the past year or so. Smith says some students thrived on remote learning while others had problems with it. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/5ol4gjyxgT
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
Many lawmakers and just as many interested/frustrated residents attend this public hearing on issues facing unemployment compensation in Pennsylvania. Lawmakers have also been sharing their frustrations with the system for several months. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/tW8QCHHGFf
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
The PA House Transportation Committee unanimously passes SB 445 by Sen. Bob Mensch that will provide for contributions to breast cancer research during vehicle registration. The vote was welcomed by members of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/yIFS7myHYj
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
It’s not often you get total consensus with PA lawmakers and residents on any issue. Maybe ever. But that’s the case with the answering of unemployment claims over the past several months. The House Labor & Industry Comm. is hearing from state officials. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/ccFU47ALbC
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
PA House Transportation Comm. debates, then passes Senate Bill 114 by Sen. Lisa Boscola. It would require drivers to make reasonable efforts to clear snow and ice from their cars & trucks before driving. The bill had passed the senate last session. @SenLisaBoscola @PaSenateDems pic.twitter.com/SzeH1hrm9B
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
Today in PA House: the second reading for eight bills designed to combat human trafficking. While no vote was taken, it paves the way for a final vote as early as tomorrow. The PCC supports these bills in our continued efforts to fight human trafficking. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/QoeA29Jswm
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021
Just underway at the PA Capitol….House Health Committee is discussing and and then voting on three pro-life bills. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/tPw8QNFari
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
Rep. Kate Klunk is giving comments on her HB 1500–the Down Syndrome Protection Act. It would protect an unborn child from being aborted solely on the basis of a diagnosis of Down syndrome. House Health Comm. will vote on it after member comments. @RepKateKlunk @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/3TXpMa9YFy
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
HB 1500 passes along party lines. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/1fFsvhFhdu
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
Rep. Frank Ryan’s addresses the PA House Health Committee on his HB 118, which would give parents the option of burial or cremation after the death of their unborn baby. @FrankRyanCPA @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/fZbUluEd02
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz talks about her HB 904, the Fetal Heartbeat Bill, which would prohibit an abortion once a heartbeat is detected in the unborn baby. A vote is pending in the PA House Health Committee. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/8mwEcZtz32
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
PA House Health Committee passes HB 118. On party lines. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/ZHBSIfY7FJ
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
PA House Judiciary Comm. has passed HB 1095. It calls for a life sentence for anyone convicted of 3rd-degree murder of an unborn child who has been convicted of murder, voluntary manslaughter, murder of an unborn child or voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/IJquQHkI2g
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
PA House Judiciary Comm. debates HB 659, which removes requirement for law-abiding individuals to obtain a concealed handgun permit before being allowed to carry concealed for self-defense. Sponsor Rep. Aaron Bernstine answers questions about the bill. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/iBkQ8A4qlI
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
PA House Judiciary Comm. debates HB 659, which removes requirement for law-abiding individuals to obtain a concealed handgun permit before being allowed to carry concealed for self-defense. Sponsor Rep. Aaron Bernstine answers questions about the bill. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/iBkQ8A4qlI
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
BEST PART OF THE WEEK HERE!!
Great to see members of the Bishop Guilfoyle girls basketball team at the Capitol today!! State champions, by the way. Great job ladies!! ??? @BishopGuilfoyle @BG_LadyHoops pic.twitter.com/tiNaHM4go3
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
The PA House Judiciary Comm. passes HB 1095. It would add the murder of someone’s unborn child to the offenses that are considered in order for a convicted defendant to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Rep. Rob Kauffman answered a question about his bill. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/2BxP71pRCB
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
Extensive debate this afternoon on the PA House floor on HB 1144, which would create separate regulations for the conventional oil and gas industry and the unconventional type, aka fracking. Rep. Kathy Rapp speaks in support by answering some of the criticism. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/KrJ2xm7lQ1
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
The PA House is now passing a package of bills designed to fight human trafficking. The PCC supports these measures. They include HB 246, which prohibits evidence based on the victim’s past sexual history. Rep. Natalie Mihalek spoke on her bill. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/I9B7dwALpr
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
The PA House also passes HB 1130 by Rep. Craig Williams, which would require convicted human traffickers to register as sex offenders. Rep. Williams talked about his bill @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/gYotE5myKH
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
The PA House has completed the passage of bills designed to combat human trafficking. They will now move onto the House for consideration. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/F9sEcTwHbj
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021
The PA House Finance Committee just gave its unanimous approval to Sen. Scott Martin’s SB 74, which establishes a pediatric cancer research tax credit. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems @SenatorMartinPA @PASenateGOP pic.twitter.com/0X5W3PFRJA
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 26, 2021
Sen. Scott Martin talks about his bill, SB 74, which establishes a pediatric cancer research tax credit. Sen. Martin was joined by two young friends dealing with cancer along with their very grateful family members. @SenatorMartinPA @PASenateGOP pic.twitter.com/KBrzISOvSF
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 26, 2021
The PA House Education Committee passes Sen. Jake Corman’s SB 664, which provides for extended special education enrollment due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Vote is near unanimous. One no. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/7ZgKkMch40
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 26, 2021
Some PA House Democrats expressed concerns today with Sen. Jake Corman’s SB 664, which provides for extended special education enrollment due to COVID-19 shutdown. Here, Rep. Mark Longietti talks of students being held back. Rep. Jesse Topper responds. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/gR1WReNBBW
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 26, 2021
The PA House has just unanimously passed HB 996 by Rep. Eric Davanzo. It would allow for access by members of the clergy to long-term care facilities during an emergency declaration. The PCC supports this measure. Rep. Davanzo spoke on the floor before the vote. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/unS38Eys3k
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 26, 2021
PA House Labor & Industry Dept. hosts state officials, business owners and industry leaders to discuss the Uniform Construction Code. Lawmakers hear concerns from the officials and share some of their stories from constituents. Here’s Rep. Pam Snyder. @PaHouseDems @PamSnyderPA50 pic.twitter.com/XO0rXDtpxp
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 27, 2021
Rep. David Rowe shares a story from a frustrated constituent who wanted to open up a salon but got tied up with red tape. Rowe and other members of the PA House Labor & Industry were discussing the Uniform Construction Code. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/RMUFmBPEgt
— PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 27, 2021
