Rep. Parker has introduced or will be introducing the following bills/resolutions in the
current 2009-10 Legislative Session:

Honoring Dr. Frank Coleman

H.R. 142

Introduced March 26, 2009

A resolution offering condolences as well as paying tribute to the legacy of the late Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman, an esteemed educator, advocate, athlete and public servant.

Addressing needs of children whose parents are incarcerated

H.R. 203

Introduced March 26, 2009

This resolution authorizes a study to learn more about the needs of children whose parents are incarcerated and unable to care for them in order to provide them with a better quality of life.

The Joint State Government Commission will form a 30-member advisory committee consisting of representatives from a number of areas, including the social welfare system, child advocates and the criminal justice system. This group will establish the parameters of a system that will recognize and evaluate the needs of these children, identify various services available to help them, and resolve any obstacles that might prevent a child's access to them.

Honoring pioneer U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm

H.R. 215

Introduced April 1, 2009

A resolution honoring United States Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm on the 40th anniversary of her swearing in as the first African-American woman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Honoring Ed Snider and his Youth Hockey Foundation

H.R. 233

Introduced May 11, 2009

A resolution honoring the achievements of Ed Snider and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation for offering a program to children that aims to instill life-enhancing values such as teamwork, positive self-esteem, the importance of hard work and respect for themselves and their teammates.

Creating a witness relocation program

H.B. 1721

Introduced June 16, 2009

This bill would create a witness relocation program for witnesses who have knowledge of facts or information relating to a crime. This program would be headed by the Attorney General's Office.

Allowing expert testimony for PTSD victims

House Bill to be introduced

This bill would allow for an expert to testify on behalf of a victim suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in a sexual assault case. Under the bill, a doctor or other expert would be able to submit testimony on a victim’s medical and psychological condition, giving the jury a clear picture of the victim’s current state of health and its effect on the victim.

Currently, this type of testimony is inadmissible in Pennsylvania.

Making contracts more readable for vision-impaired

House Bill to be introduced

This bill would allow those with impaired vision -- whether it be age-induced, medical or otherwise -- to order contracts in a larger font so that they can read them more easily.

This would apply to contracts that concern the borrowing of money and buying, leasing or renting personal property, real property or services for cash or credit and obtaining credit. This would expand a 1993 law which requires all contracts to employ language that was clear, easy to understand, and free of legal jargon which could confuse the consumer.