The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 211, which would create a Statewide 2-1-1 System Grant Program.

The Pennsylvania 2-1-1 system is a communication system that provides health and human services assistance in certain parts of Pennsylvania.  Currently, the program is supported by private funds.  This grant program would support the expansion of coverage to parts of Pennsylvania that have no access to the system.

The Department of Human Services would provide funding to establish the statewide 2-1-1 system.  The grant would be used for starting an around-the-clock system throughout Pennsylvania and used to expand access to the current system through text-to-chat and other applications.  The grant would also be used to increase quality assurance standards.

The bill now goes to the House Health Committee.

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