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

Adopted by the House April 21, 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

Adopted by the House June 3, 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

Adopted by the House April 21, 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

Adopted by the House May 12, 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.

Designating Chlamydia Awareness Day

H.R. 582

Adopted by the House Feb. 8, 2010

This resolution designates Feb. 11, 2010, as "Chlamydia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and calls upon its citizens to observe this day by participating in appropriate activities to bring attention to the need for screening and treatment of chlamydia.

Creating a witness relocation program

H.B. 1721

Referred to House Judiciary Committee 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.

Encouraging participation by disadvantaged businesses

H.B. 2143

Re-committed to House Appropriations Committee Sept. 14, 2010

The bill would require every Commonwealth agency to identify best practices; significantly increase contracting opportunities for disadvantaged businesses; and establish a designated target of their procurement and construction dollars to go to disadvantaged businesses in all state contracts and grants.

Allowing expert testimony for PTSD victims

H.B. 2255

Re-committed to House Appropriations Committee Sept. 28, 2010

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.