The state House and Senate returned to session last week, the first slate of joint session days since finishing the budget in mid-July. The House swore in two new members, Representatives Keith Harris (D-Philadelphia) and Andre Carroll (D-Philadelphia), who were elected in September for seats vacated by former Reps. Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey, respectively. These resignations also resulted in committee chair changes, as former Rep. Bullock had been Chair of the Children and Youth Committee, and former Rep. Kinsey had been Chair of the Human Services Committee. For the remainder of the current session, Rep. Jeanne McNeill (D-Lehigh) will be the Chair of Children and Youth and Rep. Perry Warren (D-Bucks) will be the Chair of Human Services.
While in session, the House passed HB 2450 on third consideration. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery), revises the definition of “governmental entity” to remove PSERS membership eligibility for new non-public employees in state-related associations. The House also voted on SB 801, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster), known as the Science of Reading bill. SB 801 was amended on the House floor yesterday and passed the chamber today unanimously. The amended bill must receive concurrence from the Senate before reaching the Governor’s desk.
Shifting to this week, the House Children and Youth Committee held an informational meeting today on HB 2617, sponsored by Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia). The bill would ensure that youth in the foster system who are eligible for federal benefits can access and save those benefits for their transition out of foster care. There is no requirement for foster youth or their families to be notified if a county agency receives benefits on the child’s behalf. Testifiers at the hearing included Amy Harfeld of the Children’s Advocacy Institute, Laurie Ayler from the Support Center for Child Advocates, Aquilah David from the Juvenile Law Center, and Vaughn Jackson, a foster parent with lived experience with this issue. PPC supports the bill and is working closely with Rep. Krajewski and interested stakeholders to advance it.
In the Senate, the Health and Human Services Committee reported out HB 2127 and HB 1608. HB 2127, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia), allows the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign about the symptoms and effects of postpartum depression and centralizes access to organizations that provide counseling for postpartum depression on its website and fact sheets available in doctor’s offices. HB 1608, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services while also creating a Doula Advisory Board. HB 2127 passed the Senate unanimously and is back in the House for concurrence; HB 1608 received second consideration in the Senate and is expected to be considered for a final vote before the legislative session ends. PPC also continues to monitor HB 2268, sponsored by Rep. Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny), which would provide insurance coverage for speech therapy for stuttering, as well as SR 347, sponsored by Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair), which would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study rate disparities in the Commonwealth’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Both the House and Senate return on October 21 for their final session days before the election on November 5. No further action will be taken on bills after the election, when there is a sine die session.