Legislative Update
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans October 27, 2021 | 11:38 AM
To keep you informed, I am highlighting recently introduced bills that I will be following closely. I broke them down into categories so you can find your specific interests. The short descriptions beside each bill are what the bill's sponsor has claimed. If you click on the link for the bill number, you can find out more information about the bill. If you would like to advocate for the bill, follow the link, then click on the link for which committee the bill has been assigned to. This will bring up information about the chairs and other members of that committee, who you can contact and advocate for or against the bill.
Transportation
HB1796 would permit motorists to carry either a digital or paper copy of their vehicle registration card, providing drivers the freedom to choose the method that works best for them. Further, it stipulates those individuals who elect to show digital proof of registration on an electronic device are not presumed to be consenting to a search of that device, thereby protecting the privacy of drivers.
Elections
HB1797 would require the randomization of each precinct’s list of candidates, so that no individual precinct will reflect the same order on the ballot. In Pennsylvania, the position of candidates on ballots is decided through lottery systems. The sponsor believes this means that one or more fortunate candidates in each election cycle will be benefit from a statistically significant electoral advantage over competing candidates which they did not earn. The purpose of the legislation is then to ensure that no candidate has the unfair advantage of topping every ballot.
Education
HB1807 would provide pregnant and lactating students with reasonable accommodations to express breast milk or breastfeed their children without a penalty for missing class. Additionally, this legislation will include a list of protections for married, pregnant, lactating and parenting students to encourage them to continue their studies. The purpose of this legislation according to the sponsor is because young parents who leave school early face greater hardship and poverty than young people who complete their education.
HB1809 would mandate the inclusion of the political, economic, and social contributions of disabled individuals in Pennsylvania’s K-12 curriculum.
Housing
HB1530 would establish eviction expungement procedures. The bill would still allow eviction cases to be unsealed for five years if it was found that the tenant did indeed breach the lease. Any eviction cases dealing with a “not-for cause” eviction, or a foreclosure eviction would be automatically sealed. The bill will also retroactively seal all cases which meet the “not-for cause” criteria, which will give a clean slate to many families who are looking for safe and affordable housing.
Workforce
HB1802 would require employers to set clear workweek rules, so employees can know when and how much they will work. In addition, my bill will guarantee “predictability pay,” which pays workers when their shift is canceled or drastically changed. The sponsor believes constituents deserve a predictable schedule so that we can schedule doctors' visits for ourselves and our families, attend college classes, arrange for childcare, and otherwise see to our needs as human beings.
Health
HB1816 would ensure medical schools, teaching hospitals, and medical institutions receive patient consent for all procedures and exams performed under anesthesia by medical students or for training purposes. The sponsor states, currently medical students may perform a pelvic exam on a female patient who is under anesthesia for a different procedure.
Tax
HB1817 would provide a temporary exemption from Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.
HB1805 would make student loan forgiveness in Pennsylvania tax-free until January 1, 2026. The reason for this legislation is that Pennsylvania is one of only five states where when student loans are forgiven, they are treated as additional income subject to tax. For reference the average student loan balance in Pennsylvania as of 2020 was $38,166 according to the sponsor.
HB1815 would extend the veterans’ property tax exemption to residents who are the surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who was killed in action or missing and presumed dead, or who received a disability rating of 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and subsequently passed away. The legislation would also prohibit the State Veterans’ Commission from considering disability income when determining need. Currently the benefit is extended to the disabled veteran but not to the spouse once they pass.