Public Health & Welfare 2011-2012

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on May 21, 2012 and unanimously reported the following:

The committee unanimously reported out the Executive Nomination of Gary Tennis  for the position of Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs.


The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on March 14, 2012 and unanimously reported out the following:

SB 1351, PN 1873 (Vance) – The bill amends the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 by permitting a certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP) to sign death certificates.  The bill was reported as committed.

HB 1400, PN 2652 (Reichley) – The bill establishes the Primary Stroke Center Recognition Act.  The bill was reported as committed.

HB 1960, PN 2674 (Vulakovich) – The legislation amends the Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers Act by defining the term “child” as well as removing some language.  The bill was reported as committed.


The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 349 – The legislation would create the Indoor Tanning Regulation Act in which a license to operate a tanning device is required among other aspects.

SB 361 – The legislation amends the Vital Statistics Law by allowing certain records to be available to the public.

The following bill was unanimously reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 458 – The legislation amends the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966 by changing the act’s name to the “Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Act,” among other aspects.   Senator Vance offered amendment A02636 which was technical in nature.

HB 140 – The bill establishes the Methadone Death and Incident Review Act which will create an Incident Review Team within the Department of Health to conduct reviews for all deaths where methadone was either a primary or secondary cause of death.  Senator Vance offered amendment A02635 which added a definition, requires the team to develop a form and makes other clarifying changes.

HB 960 – The legislation amends the Public Welfare Code by establishing a fraud detection system within the Department of Public Welfare for each county to identify, investigate and resolve potential cases of fraud prior to determining an applicant’s eligibility for assistance.  Senator Vance offered amendment A02697 that provides for inmate medical costs among other aspects.


The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, and unanimously voted the following:

The committee unanimously voted for the confirmation of Gary Alexander for the Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare.


The Senate Public Health and Welfare met on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 362 – The bill amends the Administrative Code by requiring that a family that has at least one parent who is a Pennsylvania National Guard member and has been ordered to active Federal or State service be given a preference for placement in subsidized child care.

SB 638 – The legislation amends the Public Welfare Code to provide for mileage reimbursement for individuals being treated for methadone addiction.

The following bills were reported out as amended:

SB 326 – The legislation amends the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 by requiring an issuance of certificate of stillbirth for any fetal death upon the request of a parent.  Senator Vance offered an amendment that was technical in nature.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded on the amendment and the bill as amended.

SB 732 – The legislation creates the Department of Health Abortion Facility Oversight Act which will grant the Department of Health the ability to regulate certain facilities performing abortions.  An amendment was offered which removes language dealing with certificates and replaces it with license among other aspects.   A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the amendment.  A vote of 10-1 was recorded on the bill as amended.


The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met April 6, 2011 and reported out the following bills:

As Amended:

SB 5 (Erickson): Establishes the Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Program in the Department of Health; and providing for hospital health clinics. There was a technical amendment adopted. The bill was reported as amended.

SB 225 (Piccola): Amends the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, removing references to certain boards of trustees. Sen. Vance offered Amendment A01233, which removes Woodville State Hospital from the bill. The bill was reported as amended.

SB 227 (Piccola): Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for application for registration certificate, for issuance of registration certificate and for records; providing for disclosure; and further providing for emergency closure. Sen. Kitchen offered an amendment that changes the effect date to 1 year. The bill was reported as amended.

As Committed:

SB 260 (Erickson): Amends the act of November 29, 1990 (P.L.585, No.148), known as the Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act, further providing for legislative intent, for consent to HIV-related tests and for counseling.