I.     Introduction
II.     House Bills
III.    Senate Bills
IV.    Selected Resolutions of Interest to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
V.     Indices
        Selected Bills of Interest Signed Into Law
        Selected Resolutions of Interest Adopted
        Index of Bills by Topic

INTRODUCTION
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) and the Policy Information Exchange (PIE) are pleased to present this summary of legislation of interest to the disability community in the 2007-2008 Session. The summary highlights some, though not all, of the legislation which we followed with interest.

The report is organized by chamber and by bill number and includes a listing of the prime sponsor and a phrase indicating the topic of the legislation. A brief summary of the activity that occurred on the bill is included. In addition, if the bill has become law, the Act number is noted. The report includes a list of adopted Resolutions of interest to the disability community in this summary. We have provided an index by topic at the end of this report to locate bills by subject. An index of bills signed into law and Resolutions is also included.

The recently ended legislative session was a productive one. We look forward to the 2009-2010 legislative session and continued work on the many issues of importance to Pennsylvanians with disabilities. The Council and the Policy Information Exchange are available to provide information about issues of importance to the disability community.

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council works to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth. The Council envisions a Commonwealth comprised of inclusive communities where all people with disabilities are valued and thrive. To learn more about the Council visit http://www.paddc.org/ which contains copies of our newsletters, annual reports, position papers and other information about our advocacy and systems change efforts.

It is the mission of the Policy Information Exchange to educate and inform Pennsylvanians with disabilities, their families and advocates, and the general public regarding public policy issues and to further the exchange of policy information between the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and federal, state and local policy makers. The Policy Information Exchange is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

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HOUSE BILLS
HB 54. Introduced by Representative Frankel (D-Allegheny). The bill provided for funds from the sale of state mental health and mental retardation facilities to stay in the system. Referred to the Health and Human Services Committee, Jan. 30, 2007.

HB 70. Introduced by Representative M. Keller (R-Franklin). Provided for statewide expansion of the persons with disabilities shared ride program. Referred to the Transportation Committee, Jan. 30, 2007.

HB 80. Introduced by Representative Leach (D-Montgomery). Provided for a mental health court division. Referred to the Judiciary Committee, Jan. 30, 2007.

HB 83. Introduced by Representative DeLuca (D-Allegheny). As the bill was introduced, it required that personal care home information be posted on the Department of Public Welfare's Internet website. It was amended in the House to address concerns about welfare fraud.  Among the amendments is a requirement about photo identifications for all benefit cards (including Medical Assistance).  The bill passed the House and was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, July 13, 2007.

HB 282. Introduced by Representative Petrone (D-Allegheny). The bill would establish a Mental Health and Mental Retardation Staff Member Loan Forgiveness Program and an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Program.  The bill passed the House and was referred to the Senate Education Committee, April 23, 2007. 

HB 310. Introduced by Representative Boyd (R-Lancaster). The bill provides for a tax credit program to support community-based mental retardation services. It would give tax credits to businesses that donate goods and services to non-profit community mental retardation providers.  In the introductory "findings" section, the bill discusses the Olmstead decision.  It was sent to the House Finance Committee on February 7, 2007.

HB 360. Introduced by Representative Baker (R-Bradford).The bill would raise the amounts available to families under the Family Caregiver Support Act.  It was sent to the House Health and Human Services Committee on February 13, 2007.

HB 361. Introduced by Representative Baker (R-Bradford). The bill would establish a system of protective services for adults between the ages of 18 and 59 who are abused or neglected.  It was developed in consultation with a cross-disability coalition of consumers, advocates and family members.  HB 361 was voted out of the House Health and Human Service Committee on November 14, 2007, given first consideration by the Full House and referred to the House Appropriations Committee on November 15, 2007.  See also SB 1049 and HB 2671.

HB 375. Introduced by Representative Watson (R-Bucks). Providing for the licensure and regulation of assisted living residences and for increases to the state supplement for people in personal care homes.  Also see HB 376. Both bills were referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on February 13, 2007. See also SB 704 which passed and was signed by the Governor, becoming Act 56 of 2007.

HB 376. Introduced by Rep. Watson. The bill provides for admission and retention of consumers in personal care homes. Also see HB 375. Both bills were referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on February 13, 2007. 

HB 434 and HB 435. Introduced by Representative Readshaw (D-Allegheny).  Both bills prohibit discrimination based on genetic information. Both were sent to the House State Government Committee on February 26, 2007. See also HB 486.

HB 486. Introduced by Representative Cohen (D-Philadelphia). The bill further defined "genetic information"; and provided for unlawful discriminatory practices.  Referred to the House State Government Committee on February 26, 2007. See also HB 434 and HB 435.

HB 642. Introduced by Representative Walko (D-Allegheny). The bill would expand the Crimes Code provisions on neglect of "care-dependent persons" by paid caregivers. The bill passed the House and the Senate Judiciary Committee and was given two considerations by the full Senate. It was amended in the Senate Judiciary Committee to remove language about stalking of people who are dependent on care on November 20, 2007.

HB 652. Introduced by Representative Mann (D-Lehigh). The bill would exclude veterans' disability benefits from being counted as income under several state programs. The bill passed the House on January 15, 2008 and was sent to the Senate Finance Committee, January 22, 2008.

HB 810. Introduced by Representative Bishop (D-Philadelphia). The bill provided for termination of residential leases for terminal illness or mental illness. The bill passed the House and was referred to the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, June 21, 2007.

HB 883. Introduced by Representative Kenney (R-Montgomery). The bill adds additional conditions to the list for newborn child screening and testing. It was signed by the Governor on July 4, 2008, becoming Act 36 of 2008.

HB 1000. Introduced by Representative Manderino (D-Philadelphia). The bill included provisions relating to insurance coverage for referrals to mental health treatment. It passed the House and was sent to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, June 21, 2007.

HB 1150. Introduced by Representative D. O'Brien (R-Philadelphia). The bill required insurers to cover up to $36,000 a year in costs for autism services for those under age 21.  The Senate had amended the House bill to delete the definition of medical necessity which Rep. O'Brien and advocates viewed as essential.  The final compromise provided uniform definitions. The bill requires that behavior specialists be regulated by the State Board of Medicine, in consultation with DPW. Also, several unrelated insurance issues were added to the bill. The bill was signed by the Governor on July 9, 2008, becoming Act 62 of 2008.  See also SB 550.  

HB 1253. Introduced by Representative Solobay (D-Washington). The bill, which passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor on July 20, 2007 becoming Act 48 of 2007, expands nurses' scope of practice. A provision which would have allowed nurses to commit people to mental institutions was removed from the bill before passage. The bill was part of the "Prescription for PA." In addition to the bills on certified registered nurse practitioners, related bills which also passed expanded the scope of practice of nurse midwives, physician assistants and clinical nurse specialists.  (HBs 1251 through 1255)

HB 1367. Introduced by Representative DeWeese (D-Fayette). The bill provided for nursing home rates and processes for certifying nursing home medical assistance beds. It also includes the establishment of a "Senior Care and Services Commission," to make recommendations about future need for various levels of care. Commission members include, among others, four representatives of nursing homes and one person representing home and community based service providers. The bill was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor on June 30, 2007, becoming Act 16 of 2007.

HB 1370. Introduced by Representative Manderino (D-Montgomery). The bill would provide for Pennsylvania's implementation of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Atkins case outlawing the use of the death penalty for people with mental retardation.  It provided for pre-trial determination of mental retardation which is supported by many advocacy groups.  It was sent to the House Judiciary Committee on June 5, 2007. See also SB 751.

HB 1435. Introduced by Representative Leach (D-Montgomery). The bill was entitled the "Death with Dignity" Act and provided for physician assisted suicide in cases of terminal disease.  Terminal disease was defined as "An incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months."  The bill stated, "No person shall qualify to write a request for medication under this section solely because of age or disability."  The bill was sent to the House Judiciary Committee, Sept. 24, 2007.

HB 1448. Introduced by Representative Frankel (D-Allegheny). The bill provided for the proceeds from the sale of a state mental hospital or mental retardation center to go into a Community Services Trust Fund. The bill was reported out of the House Health and Human Services Committee on December 11, 2007 and given first consideration by the full House.  It was sent to the House Appropriations Committee, Dec. 12, 2007.

HB 1455. Introduced by Representative Rapp (R-Forest). The bill would stop the closure or downsizing of State mental health and mental retardation institutions pending the completion of a study by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee on the prevalence of serious mental illness and substance abuse in the inmate population of State correctional institutions and county jails.  The bill was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on September 26, 2007.

HB 1583. Introduced by Representative Mundy (D-Luzerne).  The bill provided for regulation of assisted living facilities by the Department of Public Welfare.  Elements of the bill were included in SB 704 which was signed into law as Act 56 of 2007.

HB 1590. Introduced by Representative Markosek (D-Allegheny).  This bill provided funding for the Shared Ride Program for Persons with Disabilities among other transportation programs. Funds for Shared Ride were moved from the General Fund budget to a new transportation funding stream established in HB 1590 for "programs of Statewide significance."  In signing HB 1590 (now Act 44 of 2007), the Governor indicated that there was sufficient funding to provide shared ride services in all 65 eligible counties.

HB 1596. Introduced by Representative Eachus (D-Luzerne).  Amended the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act (Act 57 of 2004) to provide for provisional registration. The bill was voted out of the House on June 25, 2008 and referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, June 29, 2008.

HB 1699. Introduced by Representative DeWeese (D-Fayette). The bill would change the composition of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).  It passed the full House on May 12 by a vote of 199-0 and was sent to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, May 20, 2008.

HB 1702. Introduced by Representative Fairchild (R-Snyder).  The bill would prevent the state from closing a state mental retardation center or state hospital without court or legislative approval. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on July 6, 2007.

HB 1703. Introduced by Representative Fairchild (R-Snyder). The bill would establish a bill of rights for people with mental retardation. It includes language referring to the right to choose from the full spectrum of options, including intermediate care facilities.  It was introduced and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on July 6, 2007. See also HB 1764 and SB 576.

HB 1730. Introduced by Representative Blackwell (D-Philadelphia). The bill would require the Department of Health to establish standards governing protections for human subjects of research.  It was voted out of the House Health and Human Services Committee, given first consideration by the full House and was sent to the House Appropriations Committee, May 6, 2008.

HB 1764. Introduced by Representative Harper (R-Montgomery).  The bill would establish a bill of rights for people with mental retardation. It contains similar language to HB 1703, but does not include the language about intermediate care facilities.  It was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee on July 17.  See also SB 576 introduced which is similar to HB 1764.

HB 1788. Introduced by Representative McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester). It would require the Department of Public Welfare to prepare an annual report on licensing of personal care homes. The bill passed the House and the Senate.  It was signed by the Governor on July 4, 2008 becoming Act 44 of 2008.

HB 1830. Introduced by Representative Mundy (D-Luzerne).  The bill amends the Family Caregiver Support Act.  Among other changes, the bill would: remove the requirement that the caregiver be a family member; establish priority for services to "functionally dependent older" adults and adults "60 years of age or older with chronic dementia" (thus making younger people with chronic dementia a lower priority); raise the maximum amounts payable under the act; and make clear that funding is limited to the appropriation of the General Assembly (no entitlement).  It passed the House on October 23, 2007.  It was voted out of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, given first consideration by the full Senate and was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee January 14, 2008. 

HB 2034. Introduced by Rep. Bear (R-Lancaster). The bill provided for nursing home resident access to Veteran's Administration drugs. It was passed by both chambers and signed into law by the Governor on Oct. 9, 2008 as Act 114 of 2008.

HB 2036. Introduced by Representative Wansacz (D-Lackawanna).  The bill increased the penalties in some cases of neglect of people who are care dependent. It passed the House and was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 15, 2008.

HB 2100.  Introduced by Representative Saylor (R-York). The bill would establish the Children's and Special Needs Patients' Access to Quality Dental Care Act. The Act would have required health insurance policies to cover general anesthesia and associated medical costs provided to an eligible dental patient.  The bill was introduced and referred to the House Insurance Committee on Dec. 6, 2007.

HB 2108. Introduced by Representative Wagner (D- Allegheny).  The bill would change the law on disability license plates and placards to, among other things, require photos on placards, require recertification and renewal every five years and raise fines for violations and dedicate those fines to the attendant care program.  The bill was introduced and referred to the House Transportation Committee on December 11, 2007.

HB 2109. Introduced by Representative Ken Smith (D-Lackawanna).  It amends the Older Adult Protective Services Act to include assisted living facilities in the definition of facilities covered by the law and to require reporting in some cases of neglect.  It passed the House and was referred to the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, May 15, 2008.  See also HB 2114.

HB 2114. Introduced by Rep. Shimkus (D-Lackawanna). It amends the Older Adult Protective Services Act including adding a requirement about disclosure in cases of doctors who own facilities and also adding definitions of chronic dementia and cognitive impairment.  HB 2114 passed the House and was referred to the Senate Aging and Youth Committee on May 20, 2008.  See also HB 2109.

HB 2160. Introduced by Representative Kenney (R-Montgomery). The bill would provide for cost of living increases for the mental health, mental retardation and early intervention programs. It was introduced and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on January 14, 2008.

HB 2161. Introduced by Representative  Boback (R-Columbia). The bill established procedures for when consumers are moved from long term care facilities. It passed the House and was sent to the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, May 20, 2008.

HB 2182. Introduced by Representative Staback (D-Lackawanna).  The bill provided for onsite complaint investigations and plans of correction for personal care homes and assisted living facilities.  The bill was voted out of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee twice.  It was sent to the House Appropriations Committee June 25, 2008.  See also HB 2161 and HB 2183.

HB 2183. Introduced by Representative Staback (D-Lackawanna).  The bill dealt with complaint procedures for nursing homes.  It passed the House and was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, July 7, 2008.

HB 2241. Introduced by Representative McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester).  The bill provides for annual cost of living increases for county mental health and mental retardation programs. It is very similar to HB 2160 and to SB 1373.  It's also similar to HB 1813 which was passed by the General Assembly in the last legislative session and vetoed by the Governor.  HB 2241 was voted out of the House Health and Human Services Committee on May 5 and given first consideration by the full House.  It was sent to the House Appropriations Committee, May 6, 2008.

HB 2242. Introduced by Representative Gingrich (R-Lebanon). The bill required long term care providers, including those providing home and community based services under waivers, to post and provide certain information to consumers.  It passed the House and was referred to the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, May 21, 2008.

HB 2253. Introduced by Representative Marshall (R-Beaver). The bill would raise the personal needs allowance for people in personal care homes from $60 a month to $120 a month. It was introduced in February and referred to the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, Feb. 26, 2008.  (Note that the personal needs allowance was raised to $85 a month by administrative action in January, 2009. The DPW directive allowed residents to keep a portion of the federal Social Security increase.) 

HB 2384. Introduced by Representative Sabatina, Jr. (D-Philadelphia). The bill provides for imposition of the death penalty in cases where the defendant is a person with mental retardation. It provides for post-trial determination of mental retardation which is opposed by many advocacy groups.  The bill was introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on March 24, 2008.  See also HB 1370 and SB 751 which provide for pre-trial determination.

HB 2438. Introduced by Representative O'Brien (R-Philadelphia). The bill related to the timing of evaluations and burden of proof in special education proceedings. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Education Committee on April 7, 2008. See also SB 1414. 

HB 2600. Introduced by Representative Daley (D-Washington). The bill would establish a Housing Trust Fund. The bill was voted out of the House and was sent to the Senate Urban Affair and Housing Committee, Oct. 7, 2008.  See also SB 1400.

HB 2625. Introduced by Representative Pallone (D-Armstrong).  The bill establishes a health care access program that requires the development of plans to assure access to a continuum of health care services on a county basis for individuals and families with low income.  The plans are intended to "improve access to medically necessary preventive, curative and palliative physical, dental and behavioral health care services offered by and through community-based health care providers, while reducing unnecessary or duplicative services."  The bill was voted out of the House on June 30, 2008, voted out of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, given first consideration by the full Senate and was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee October 6, 2008.

HB 2651. Introduced by Representative Murt (R-Montgomery). The bill, intended to prevent fraud by service providers, would have had the effect of prohibiting some family members from being paid to provide services.  It was introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on June 18, 2008.

HB 2671. Introduced by Representative Josephs (D-Philadelphia).  The bill would establish a system of protective services for adults between the ages of 18 and 59 who are abused or neglected.  It is identical to SB 1049 and similar to HB 361.  HB 2671 was introduced and referred to the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee on June 25, 2008.

HB 2690 and HB 2733.  Both introduced by Representative Maher (R-Allegheny).  These bills would establish in law the Governor's Office for People with Disabilities and Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities.  The Governor has used an executive order to establish a disability cabinet and advisory committee; the bills would establish them in statute.  HB 2690 was voted out of the House State Government Committee and given first consideration by the full House.  It was sent to the House Appropriations Committee, Sept. 22, 2008.  HB 2733, an updated version of the bill, was introduced and referred to the House Public Health and Welfare Committee in August 7, 2008.

HB 2718. Introduced by Representative McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester).  The bill would place the burden of proof in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act due process hearings on the school district. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Education Committee on July 23, 2008.  See also SB 1414 and HB 2438.

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SENATE BILLS
SB 9. Introduced by Senator Scarnati (R-Jefferson).  This bill would require proof of lawful presence in the United States as a condition to the receipt of public benefits including disability benefits and medical assistance.  The bill passed the Senate on April 9 and was sent to the House State Government Committee on April 15, 2008.

SB 455. Introduced by Senator Vance (R-Cumberland).  The bill allowed public health dental hygienists to provide dental care services within their current scope of practice, in specific facilities such as nursing homes, schools, personal care and domiciliary care homes, state institutions and correctional facilities without the supervision of a dentist.  The bill, part of the Governor's "Prescription for PA", was signed into law on July 20, 2007 as Act 51 of 2007.

SB 550. Introduced by Senator D. White (R-Indiana) The bill would require insurers to cover costs for autism services for those under age 21 and passed the Senate on March 28, 2007.  It was voted out of the House Insurance Committee on June 21 and given first consideration by the full House. It was referred to House Appropriations, June 30, 2008.   See also HB 1150.

SB 576. Introduced by Senator Greenleaf (R-Montgomery). The bill would establish a bill of rights for people with mental retardation. It was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 20, 2007. See also HB 1703 which includes language referring to the right to choose from the full spectrum of options, including intermediate care facilities.  SB 576 does not include that language.  It was introduced and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on July 6, 2007. See also HB 1764.

SB 583. Introduced by Senator Orie (R-Allegheny).  The bill would establish a minimum wage for full-time direct care employees of mental health and mental retardation programs.  It would require that as a condition for receipt of public funds, agencies certify that all direct care workers are paid based on a minimum entry-level annual wage of $18,000 or $8.65 per hour.  The bill was sent to the Senate Labor and Industry Committee on March 20, 2007.

SB 704. Introduced by Senator Pat Vance (R-Cumberland).  The bill provides for regulation of assisted living facilities by the Department of Public Welfare.  The final bill incorporated elements pulled from several other bills including HB 375 and HB 1583. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor, on July 25, 2007 becoming Act 56 of 2007.

SB 751. Introduced by Senator Mary Jo White (R-Venango). The bill would provide for Pennsylvania's implementation of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Atkins case outlawing the use of the death penalty for people with mental retardation. It provided for pre-trial determination of mental retardation which is supported by many advocacy groups. Efforts to amend the bill in ways opposed by advocates were defeated. The bill passed the Senate on October 29 and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee November 7, 2007. See also HB 1370.

SB 790. Introduced by Senator Rhoades (R-Schuylkill).  The bill would establish in law the shared-ride program for persons with disabilities and ensure Statewide coverage.  It was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on April 27, 2007.

SB 811. Introduced by Senator Pat Vance (R-Cumberland). The bill would provide for internet posting of licensing information on personal care homes, nursing homes and domiciliary care homes. The bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee on June 27, 2007.

SB 896. Introduced by Senator Greenleaf (R-Montgomery). The bill would allow nursing homes to transfer Medical Assistance bed certifications. It was introduced and referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on May 22, 2007.

SB 902. Introduced by Senator Tartaglione (D-Phila.). The bill would establish the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers to develop "strategies to address the Commonwealth's short-term and long-term health care workforce challenges to ensure the quality and supply of such work force." The bill was voted out of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee and was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee, September 24, 2008.

SB 968. Introduced by Senator Erickson (R-Delaware). This bill, which passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on July 20, 2007 becoming Act 52 of 2007, required hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities to do more to control infections. The bill was part of the "Prescription for PA."

SB 1049. Introduced by Senator Pat Vance (R-Cumberland).  The bill would establish a system of protective services for adults between the ages of 18 and 59 who are abused or neglected. It was developed in consultation with a cross-disability coalition of consumers, advocates and family members.  The bill was voted out of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee and sent to the Appropriations Committee on January 14, 2008.  See also HB 361and HB 2671.

SB 1128. Introduced by Senator Greenleaf (R-Montgomery). The bill would establish a grant  program for counties to plan and implement initiatives that increase public safety, avoid increased spending on criminal justice and improve the effectiveness of mental health and substance abuse treatment services.  The program would utilize funds saved through the diversion of people away from county jails and into community settings.  It was voted out of the Judiciary Committee and given first consideration by the full Senate on December 10, 2007.  It was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee on January 14, 2008.

SB 1137. Introduced by Senator D. White (R-Indiana). The bill, as amended in the House represents a major portion of the Governor's health care reform agenda, including the creation of an Access to Basic Care (PA ABC) Program Fund to cover the uninsured.  It has passed both chambers, in different forms and in March was sent back to the Senate for concurrence in the House amendments. It was referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on June 10, 2008.

SB 1373. Introduced by Senator Erickson (R-Delaware). The bill provided for a cost of living increase for mental health /mental retardation and early intervention programs. It passed the Senate and was sent to the House Health and Human Services Committee on June 6, 2008.

SB 1400. Introduced by Senator Pippy (R-Allegheny). The bill would establish a Housing Trust Fund.  It was passed by the Senate and sent to the House Commerce Committee on Oct. 6, 2008. See also HB 2600.

SB 1414. Introduced by Senator Rhoades (R-Schuylkill). The bill would assign the burden of proof in IDEA disputes to the school district and not the parent.  It was introduced and referred to the Senate Education Committee on May 30, 2008.  See also HB 2438.

SB 1442. Introduced by Senator Rhoades (R-Schuylkill).  The bill would give only the legislature the right to impose new statewide graduation requirements.  If passed, this would have derailed the State Board of Education's proposal to require statewide graduation testing.  It passed the Senate on June 16, 2008 and was referred to the House Education Committee on June 18, 2008.

SB 1524. Introduced by Senator Logan (D- Allegheny). The bill provided for wheelchair accessible parking spaces with access aisles. It was introduced and referred to the Senate Labor and Industry Committee on July 7, 2008.

SB 1588. Introduced by Senator Dinniman (D-Chester). The bill would provide for insurance coverage to continue beyond age 18 for dependent students who can't attend school full-time because of a disability. The bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on September 22, 2008.

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SELECTED RESOLUTIONS OF INTEREST TO PENNSYLVANIANS WITH DISABILITIES
HR 159. Introduced by Representative Kenney (R-Montgomery).  The resolution directed the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the waiting list for community-based mental retardation services.  The Resolution required a report to the General Assembly by December 12, 2007. It was adopted unanimously on June 12, 2007. Results of the study may be found at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/MR%20Report%202008.html.

HR 201. Introduced by Representative Siptroth (D-Monroe). The resolution designated the week of July 22 through 28, 2007, as "ADA Week" in Pennsylvania.  It was adopted on June 29, 2007.

HR 332. Introduced by Representative Thomas (D-Philadelphia).  The resolution called for a study of the feasibility of limiting polling places to schools and government buildings that are accessible to people with disabilities.  The resolution was adopted unanimously by the full House on October 15, 2007. Results of study may be found at http://lbfc.legis.state.pa.us/ under State and Government.

SR 60. Introduced by Senator Earll (R-Erie). The resolution urged the Rendell Administration and the Secretary of Public Welfare to stop the planned move from a voluntary managed care system (HealthChoices) to a mandated fee-for-service system (Access Plus) for medical assistance recipients. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote on March 26, 2007 and transmitted to the Governor.

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INDICES 

Index of Selected Bills of Interest to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Signed Into Law

Selected Resolutions Adopted 2007 - 2008

Index by Topic of Bills

*The bill is part of the "Prescription for PA"
** Results of this study may be found at here
***Results of study may be found at http://lbfc.legis.state.pa.us/ under State and Government