Governor Tom Wolf, joined by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, bill sponsors Reps. Mark Rozzi, Todd Stephens, and Jim Gregory; legislators; advocates and survivors of childhood sexual abuse, signed three bills that mirror the Grand Jury’s recommendations after its investigation into child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. “After tireless and passionate work on the part of so many, especially countless brave victims, these bills will today become law, and victims of one of the most unimaginable forms of abuse will receive the support and rights they deserve,” Gov. Wolf said. “And while we celebrate the monumental victory of many survivors of childhood sexual abuse finally receiving their opportunity for justice, we must continue pushing forward until every survivor, of every age, has the chance to tell his or her story.” “These reforms fundamentally change our justice system and will protect generations of children who experience abuse from this day on,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “While we still must address justice for those survivors who made this day possible, seeing this progress gives me hope that bravery and activism will win over entrenched interests and powerful institutions.” Gov. Wolf signed these bills: House Bill 962 , sponsored by Rep. Mark Rozzi, abolishes Pennsylvania’s criminal statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse and extends the timeline victims have to file civil action Read more
HARRISBURG, May 8 – Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, joined the Pennsylvania Psychological Association Monday in pushing for protection for the victims of human trafficking, particularly children. At the news conference, Rozzi discussed his Safe Harbor in Human Trafficking legislation (H.B. 525), which would make the child victims of human trafficking immune from criminal prosecution. “Human trafficking is nothing short of modern day slavery,” Rozzi said. “Children are especially vulnerable as they never had the chance to develop skills to identify, avoid and resist adults who pose as friends.” Children who are the victims of human trafficking are exploited through prostitution and are frequently provided with drugs by adults who manipulate them and control them, psychologically and physically. In many cases, the children end up charged with related criminal offenses. “We must stop treating these children, who find themselves in the most deplorable of situations, as criminals. They are victims,” Rozzi said, adding that sexually exploited children need to be identified and brought to a safe setting – not jail. “They deserve immunity, not re-victimization. We need to provide them services that will help rehabilitate, educate and get them on the path to being a productive member of society.” Rozzi’s bill would have the Department of Human Services work with other agencies to develop a statewide protocol to Read more
HARRISBURG, April 26 – State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, congratulated Antietam Middle Senior High School senior Kelly Weikel today for winning one of two recently awarded 2017-18 Pennsylvania House of Representative Scholarships. Winners of the scholarship receive a four-year scholarship at the tuition level equivalent of one semester at a State System of Higher Education School. “Congratulations to Kelly for earning this scholarship for her academic performance, commitment to her community and demonstration of leadership,” Rozzi said. “I hope this scholarship provides much needed assistance as she continues her education, because no Pennsylvanian should have to take on unreasonable amounts of debt in order to better themselves.” To be eligible, a student must be a graduating senior living in Pennsylvania with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average, participate in extracurricular activities, have community and leadership skills and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship program, which is privately funded by individual and corporate donations, is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Mark Rozzi joined marijuana law reform supporters in Harrisburg for a rally about decriminalizing marijuana. Rozzi supports legislation that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana a summary offense with a maximum fine of $100. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Mark Rozzi led a rally on the Capitol steps to highlight the long overdue need for reform of Pennsylvania’s laws affecting victims of childhood sexual abuse. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 3 – State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, led a rally on the Capitol steps today to highlight the long overdue need for reform of Pennsylvania’s laws affecting victims of childhood sexual abuse. Last year, the statewide outpouring of support for statute of limitations reform following the attorney general’s release of the Altoona/Johnstown Diocese Grand Jury Report, propelled action on the issue. Last April, H.B. 1947 with Rozzi’s retroactive provision, which would permit past victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue their perpetrators, passed the House overwhelmingly, but was gutted and replaced by Sen. Joseph Scarnati’s version that removed the revival provision. The bill was not moved for a concurrence vote in the House. The legislative debate over H.B. 1947 will carry over this week as S.B. 261 is scheduled for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday. The same language that was used to strip the House bill last session is in this year's S.B. 261. Rozzi introduced what he called the “real deal” (H.B. 612), reflecting the recommendations from the four grand jury reports conducted to date. "We owe all victims of childhood sexual abuse a chance at justice,” Rozzi said. “We can compromise on pensions, liquor and the budget. But we should never make deals against protecting children.” “Victims of childhood sexual abuse have waited long enough for reform of our arbitrary Read more
HARRISBURG, March 29 – State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, announced today that West Reading will receive a $156,590 grant to replace sanitary sewer infrastructure. The PA Small Water and Sewer grant was approved Wednesday by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The funding will go to improving sanitary sewer service for customers along an alley from South Fifth Avenue to Linden Road, between Sunset and Sycamore roads. An existing fragile, vitrified clay sewer main and connections will be replaced with 1,364 feet of PVC pipe. “Heavy vehicles use this alley, so this project will prevent future sewer line leaks and breaks,” Rozzi said. “Infrastructure investments are so important to our local communities, and West Reading residents will be able to benefit from this project for years to come.” The PA Small Water and Sewer grants are available for the construction, improvement, expansion, rehabilitation or repair of a water supply or sanitary sewer system. Total project costs must be between $30,000 and $500,000. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. It is responsible for funding programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. The CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and the Read more
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, invites residents of his district to a free document shredding event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at his constituent service office, 4933 Kutztown Road. Read more
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering a program to provide free breast and cervical cancer screenings to Pennsylvania residents. Early detection is, of course, key in fighting these debilitating diseases, so I strongly encourage anyone who has not had recent testing done to learn more about this opportunity. For those who meet eligibility requirements, HealthyWoman offers clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic examinations and Pap smears, and follow-up diagnostic tests for abnormal results. Eligibility is based on age, Pennsylvania residency, income and insurance status. For a full list of eligibility requirements and details on the program, please click here . Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, and since the risk increases with age, it’s vitally important to schedule regular checkups with your doctor or use the HealthyWoman program. As always, if you had any questions or concerns about any state government-related issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. Read more
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, invites residents of his district to a free document shredding event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at his constituent service office, 4933 Kutztown Road. Read more
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, released the following statement today about the Bucks County Solebury School Grand Jury Report released earlier this month and his introduction of H.B. 612. The report summarized decades-long widespread sexual abuse of dozens of students at the elite private school, but no charges could be brought against perpetrators because of the expired statute of limitations. House Bill 612, known as the Real Deal, would eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault claims and allow for a revival of the civil window. Read more
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, announced today that West Reading has received a $246,512 grant from the Keystone Communities program to go toward community revitalization. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 24 -- Stroud Water Research Center Inc. will receive $113,000 in state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant money to install riparian buffers protecting the Lower Susquehanna River, state Reps. Tom Caltagirone and Mark Rozzi announced today. The grant, which is part of a $790,000 investment statewide to plant trees along waterways, will cover approximately 38 acres of buffers in the region’s watershed. Forest buffers along stream banks provide critical barriers between polluting landscapes and receiving waterways. Properly planted and maintained, streamside tree and shrub plantings filter the runoff of sediments and fertilizers that are applied to lawns and crops; control erosion; slow stormwater runoff; cool stream temperatures; and improve fish habitat. “This is a fantastic investment in helping not only to beautify and protect our waterways, but also protect larger watersheds downstream, all the way to the Chesapeake Bay,” said Caltagirone, D-Berks. “When we help ourselves, we help others in turn, and all reap the rewards in our food, water and recreation ecosystems.” “Pollution remains one of our main concerns in an agricultural community, and riparian buffers are a proven reducer of dangerous run-off. Congratulations are in order for Stroud Water Research Inc. and their commitment to our region,” said Rozzi, D-Berks. “Their professionalism and expertise are a great boon to our Read more
Pennsylvania received a limited extension through June 6 to update driver’s licenses to meet requirements under the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, but the General Assembly must still act quickly to comply. Without action, Pennsylvanians could be denied access to federal facilities and eventually even airline travel. Specifically, Pennsylvanians will need federally approved ID for air travel beginning Jan. 22, 2018, and with the limited extension we will need a federally approved ID to access federal buildings, nuclear power plants and military bases beginning June 7, 2017. Rest assured, I am following this issue very closely and am doing everything possible to ensure that we pass comprehensive changes to comply with the federal government. Please visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/pennsylvania for the most up to date information on the requirements and remember that my office can help you obtain a birth certificate or driver’s license. Read more
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, today invited constituents to join him at a town hall from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 701 Penn St. in Reading to discuss the pros and cons of decriminalizing marijuana. Read more
As family and friends decorate their homes and gather to celebrate the holidays, Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay and Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller offer some tips to ensure everyone stays safe this holiday season. Read more
The myCOMPASS PA online app is now available for download on the Apple and Google Play app stores for use on iPhones and Android smartphones. Among other features, myCOMPASS PA will allow individuals to take photos of necessary documents and upload them directly to their case files through a secure, safe environment. Other key features include: Users will be able to view benefits details after logging in to their myCOMPASS account; Individuals can view their processing status of their applications; and Update case-related information such as address, phone number, email address, and voter registration. In the two weeks after it launched in the Apple store, 4,669 users downloaded the app with 13,680 clients viewing the status of their benefits, 1,568 documents were uploaded, and the app received a 5-star rating. myCOMPASS PA is estimated to save an average of $3.2 million per year by reducing mail processing time, manual information entry, call center calls, postage and printing. Read more
TEMPLE, Dec. 8 – The Central Pennsylvania Chapters of the Gold Star Mothers of America and the Blue Star Mothers of America will partner with the national Wreaths Across America organization for the annual wreath-laying ceremony at noon Saturday at the Capitol in Harrisburg, said state Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, who will participate in the ceremony. Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony. Its mission, “Remember, Honor, Teach,” is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December in all 50 state capitols. The keynote speaker will be Col. David E. Wood, chief of staff of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division. John Brenner, chairman of the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission, also will speak. State Rep. Stephen Barrar, Republican chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, will preside over the ceremony. Individual wreaths, signifying every branch of the armed services, will be formally presented by respective representatives of the military in addition to the remembrance wreath. The ceremonial wreaths are provided by the Worcester Wreath Co. as a donation to the Wreaths Across America campaign. Staff Sgt. Ian Bowling of the U.S. Army Soldiers' Chorus and the Central Dauphin High School choir, under the direction of John Madas, will perform at the ceremony. Read more
TEMPLE, Dec. 6 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved today a $750,000 grant for Muhlenberg Township to bolster safety along Fifth Street Highway, state Rep. Mark Rozzi announced. Proposed improvements include the construction of a median with landscaped islands, a safe zone for bicyclists and new, safe parking areas in designated zones and sidewalks along a 4-mile stretch of the corridor. Crosswalks will be improved at signaled intersections, a new bus stop will be constructed in a safe zone adjacent to the corridor, and LED street lights also will be installed to improve safety for pedestrians after dark. “Congratulations to Muhlenberg Township for securing this grant,” Rozzi said. “The grant will help save taxpayers money as the township works to shore up a high-value project for the region. I’d also like to thank CFA for recognizing a wise investment in our community. “I, like many area residents, look forward to these much-needed improvements along Fifth Street Highway.” The total project cost is $2.48 million. There have been five fatal accidents in five years along Fifth Street Highway, which is a major retail and mixed-use corridor in Muhlenberg Township. The grant comes from the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, which was established by Act 89 transportation funding set up in 2013. Rozzi voted for legislation that created the fund. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, and state Rep. Tom Murt, R-Montgomery/Phila., announced today that they will host a private advance screening of the film “Spotlight” on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Midtown Cinema, 250 Reilly St. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and Turning Point are the event sponsors. A complimentary reception will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., prior to the movie. Remarks will be offered by the sponsors and hosts in support of legislation that would modify the Pennsylvania statute of limitations to allow victims to seek civil action against abusers and the institutions that shield them. “Spotlight” is the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child sexual abuse and cover-up within the local Boston Archdiocese. More information about the event is available by contacting Rozzi’s Harrisburg office at (717) 783-3290. To reserve tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/private-advance-screening-of-spotlight-tickets-19499631924. Seating is limited. Read more
The Academy Award-winning movie "Spotlight" showcases what is now recognized as the global tragedy of childhood sexual abuse. The opening scene captures the central conflict as it played out in the Archdiocese of Boston. The film begins with a late-night scene at a neighborhood police station. A local priest has been brought in for questioning as a distressed single mother and a livid uncle are in the back room complaining that a priest has molested the family's children. They are there to press criminal charges. But, with help from the assistant district attorney, the bishop is summoned to the station to quietly assure the family that the priest will be taken out of the parish and they're told, "This will never happen again." A rookie cop asks a veteran cop what the press will do when the charges are read at the arraignment. He's told, "What arraignment?" The older cop has seen this before. He knows the priest will walk. The bishop and priest then quietly slip out of the station, into the back seat of a black sedan, and into the dark night. Read more
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4933 Kutztown RoadTemple, PA 19560
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111 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202126Harrisburg, PA 17120-2126
P*: (717) 783-3290