PRINTER'S NO. 1468
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
143
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY VENKAT, HARKINS, MADDEN, WAXMAN, KINSEY, HILL-
EVANS, HANBIDGE, KHAN, SANCHEZ, PROBST, BRENNAN, CERRATO,
HOWARD, SOLOMON, DIAMOND, SCOTT, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, D. MILLER,
MADSEN, GAYDOS AND O'MARA, JUNE 6, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 6, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19.
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus and was first discovered in December 2019; and
WHEREAS, Most people infected with COVID-19 will experience
mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without
requiring special treatment, however, some will become seriously
ill and require medical attention; and
WHEREAS, Older people and those with underlying medical
conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic
respiratory disease or cancer are more likely to develop serious
illness; and
WHEREAS, Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become
seriously ill or die at any age; and
WHEREAS, Former Governor Tom Wolf reported this
Commonwealth's first two confirmed cases in March 2020; and
WHEREAS, Since the first two confirmed cases, this
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Commonwealth has experienced stay-at-home orders, mandatory
masking, school closures, business closures and restrictions,
hospitalizations, deaths of loved ones and financial hardships;
and
WHEREAS, As of May 3, 2023, this Commonwealth had nearly 3
million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and just over 51,000 deaths;
and
WHEREAS, It is important that the Commonwealth learns from
COVID-19 and makes improvements to the Commonwealth's ability to
respond to future similar events; and
WHEREAS, It is important for the Commonwealth to assess what
changes need to be made relating to emergency preparedness,
including the role of the Pennsylvania National Guard, public
health, the public school system, students, businesses, workers
and State and local government agencies in this Commonwealth;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on the
Commonwealth's response to COVID-19; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
consisting of, but not limited to, the following individuals to
conduct the study on the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19:
(1) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or the secretary's designee.
(2) The Secretary of Education or the secretary's
designee.
(3) The Secretary of Health or the secretary's designee.
(4) The Secretary of Human Services or the secretary's
designee.
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(5) The Secretary of Labor and Industry or the
secretary's designee.
(6) The Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs or
the secretary's designee.
(7) The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency or the director's designee.
(8) A representative of hospitals and public health
systems.
(9) A representative of long-term care providers.
(10) A representative of nursing home operators.
(11) A representative of aging services.
(12) A representative of physicians.
(13) A representative of osteopathic physicians.
(14) A representative of emergency physicians.
(15) A representative of registered nurses.
(16) A representative of a union for caregivers, nurses
and health care professionals.
(17) A representative of workers in the emergency and
nonemergency ambulance and medical transportation industry.
(18) A representative of businesses.
(19) A representative of local and independent business
owners.
(20) A representative of labor councils.
(21) A representative of public school boards.
(22) A representative of public school teachers.
(23) A representative of child-care providers.
(24) A representative of nursing home operators.
(25) A representative of an organization advocating for
individuals who have an intellectual disability or are on the
autism spectrum.
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(26) A representative of counties with a health
department.
(27) A representative of counties without a health
department.
(28) A representative of federally qualified health
centers.
(29) A representative of dentists.
(30) A representative of municipal police departments.
(31) Representatives from other Commonwealth agencies or
other entities that the Joint State Government Commission
deems appropriate in conducting the study on the
Commonwealth's response to COVID-19.
(32) Any other individuals with knowledge and expertise
in matters involving the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, in
collaboration with the advisory committee, compile a report
that, at a minimum, includes all of the following:
(1) A review and analysis of this Commonwealth's
response to COVID-19 relating to emergency preparedness,
including the role of the Pennsylvania National Guard, public
health, the public school system, students, businesses,
workers and State and local government agencies in this
Commonwealth.
(2) Policy recommendations and proposed legislation to
implement necessary changes to the laws of this Commonwealth.
(3) Any other matters deemed appropriate by the Joint
State Government Commission;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
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establish the advisory committee within three months of the
adoption of this resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission present
its report to the House of Representatives no later than
January 1, 2025.
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