Mullery lauds House passage of bill to put moratorium on White Haven, Polk center closures

Rep. Gerald Mullery    January 15, 2020 | 1:59 PM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 15 – A bill which would put a moratorium on the closing of the White Haven and Polk state centers passed the House today, according to state Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne.

“I am pleased to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognized the importance of protecting hundreds of residents, their families and their caregivers,” Mullery said.

Under S.B. 906, a moratorium would be enacted on the scheduled closing of both White Haven and Polk centers. The House further amended the bill to include the appointment of a task force which will evaluate the state centers and provide recommendations to the Department of Human Services prior to the closure of one or more state centers.

“This bill, as amended, does exactly what Governor Wolf and his Council on Reform should have done from the start, before moving to close these centers. It corrects his mistake and ensures all avenues will be explored before making such a critical decision,” Mullery said.

The bill passed the House 139-55. It now returns to the Senate for approval. 

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