As reported during the PCPA conference, long-term funding legislation for mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) services is moving this week in the legislature. Due to this being a sine die year (the two-year legislative session ends November 30), and the fact that the legislature may only return for a brief session following the election, this legislation is moving (and must continue to move) rapidly through the legislative process.
House
Bill 1813
The Senate voted 46-3 (Sens. Robert J. Mellow, Vincent J. Fumo, and Jim Ferlo
voted "no") to pass House Bill 1813 (inflationary index for MH/MR).
Due to technical amendments inserted by the senate, the bill must return to
the House for concurrence (agreement to the amendments). House leadership
is scheduled to bring the bill up for a full House vote as early as today.
Representatives must hear from providers/consumers/interested parties that
they should vote "yea" on House Bill 1813 and that the legislation
must become law. Refer to the Targeted
Bill Action talking points for inflationary index legislation (dated
September 26). Once the House concurs with the Senate amendments and votes
to pass the bill again, House Bill 1813 would arrive on Governor Edward G.
Rendell’s desk. It would require his signature to become law.
Members are urged to take a moment today to call and thank senators who voted for House Bill 1813. A special thanks to Sen. Ted Erickson, who prime-sponsored Senate Bill 1006 (companion legislation to House Bill 1813), for championing this legislation in the senate and to Sen. Jake Corman, chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, for moving this bill through the legislative process.
House
Bill 1649
House Bill 1649 was voted out of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee
unanimously yesterday. It could come up for a full Senate floor vote as early
as today. Call your senators immediately to urge passage of House Bill 1649.
Refer to the Targeted
Bill Action talking points for dedicated alcohol tax legislation
(dated September 26). Once the Senate passes House Bill 1649, due to technical
amendments inserted by the Senate, it must return to the House for concurrence.
Legislative
and Governor Contact Information
Members should refer to the Legislative Alert dated October 5 for the following
contact information:
• all 50 senators,
• House leadership, and
• the governor’s office.
Keep up the good work! Contact Melissa DiSanto Simmons via email or by calling the association with questions or feedback.
