TARTAGLIONE EMERGENCY-PREPAREDNESS BILL PASSES SENATE

HARRISBURG, March 17, 2004 -- A bill designed to protect young children in the event of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other catastrophes unanimously passed the state Senate today, Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione announced.

Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 922, which calls for the state to help daycare centers develop and implement comprehensive disaster response and emergency preparedness plans for all possible hazards or potential dangers.

“Many children -- throughout much of each day -- are not under the direct control or supervision of their parents,” Tartaglione said in remarks read into the record today.  “Rather, they are in the care of daycare professionals or are attending educational facilities throughout this Commonwealth and ensuring their health and safety is critical.”

Tartaglione, who is still recovering from an accident, thanked her Senate colleagues for taking quick action on the bill.

Passage of the bill follows last fall’s approval of an accompanying resolution sponsored by Tartaglione, Senate Resolution 81, which directed state emergency management officials to begin helping daycare centers create emergency plans while the legislation is being considered in the General Assembly.

“Passage of Senate Resolution 81 was a beginning,” Tartaglione said.  “To insure that the work continues and to guarantee that appropriate safety measures will remain in effect for all childcare and educational facilities throughout the Commonwealth under future administrations, legislative action is necessary.  Senate Bill 922 achieves those objectives.”

Since Senate Bill 922 was introduced, the idea of better preparing child day care centers for emergencies has gained critical support from Governor Ed Rendell.  The administration has already taken steps to enact key provision of the bill.

Senate Bill 922 will now go to the state House of Representatives for approval.

- 30 -