PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1468
PRINTER'S NO. 2052
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, O'MARA AND GREEN, JUNE 6, 2023
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
AS AMENDED, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS
TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES.
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
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WHEREAS, Since the first two confirmed cases, this
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
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designee.
(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
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autism spectrum.
(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
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WHEREAS, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXPOSED BOTH THE STRENGTHS AND
THE WEAKNESSES OF STATE AND LOCAL LAWS IN THIS COMMONWEALTH
RELATING TO PREPARING FOR AND RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCIES; AND
WHEREAS, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE RESPONSE TO THE
PANDEMIC HAD MANY WIDESPREAD IMPACTS ON THIS COMMONWEALTH AND
ITS RESIDENTS; AND
WHEREAS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMONWEALTH LEARN FROM THE
EXPERIENCE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND REVIEW THE IMPACT THAT
ITS LAWS AND REGULATIONS HAVE ON THE COMMONWEALTH'S ABILITY TO
RESPOND TO SIMILAR FUTURE EVENTS; AND
WHEREAS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMONWEALTH TO ASSESS WHAT
CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE TO ITS LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, INCLUDING THE ROLE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
NATIONAL GUARD, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH SYSTEMS, THE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THIS
COMMONWEALTH; AND
WHEREAS, SENATE RESOLUTION 194 OF 2007 DIRECTED THE JOINT
STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW,
UPDATE AND CODIFY PENNSYLVANIA'S PUBLIC HEALTH LAWS, BUT THE
STUDY WAS NOT COMPLETED; AND
WHEREAS, HOUSE RESOLUTION 88 OF 2021 DIRECTED THE JOINT STATE
GOVERNMENT COMMISSION TO REVIEW REGULATORY WAIVERS AND
SUSPENSIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO DETERMINE WHICH
REGULATORY WAIVERS AND SUSPENSIONS SHOULD PERMANENTLY REMAIN IN
PLACE; AND
WHEREAS, THE JOINT STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION SHOULD
CONTINUE THE WORK RELATED TO REVIEWING PUBLIC HEALTH LAWS AND
OTHER LEGAL STRUCTURES IMPACTING THE COMMONWEALTH'S ABILITY TO
RESPOND TO FUTURE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES; THEREFORE BE IT
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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 PREPAREDNESS TO RESPOND
TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES:
(1) THE SECRETARY OF AGING OR THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
(2) THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OR THE SECRETARY'S
DESIGNEE.
(3) THE SECRETARY OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OR THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
(4) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION OR THE SECRETARY'S
DESIGNEE.
(5) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH OR THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
(6) THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES OR THE SECRETARY'S
DESIGNEE.
(7) THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY OR THE
SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
(8) THE SECRETARY OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS OR
THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
(9) THE DIRECTOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE.
(10) A REPRESENTATIVE OF HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC HEALTH
SYSTEMS.
(11) A REPRESENTATIVE OF LONG-TERM CARE PROVIDERS.
(12) A REPRESENTATIVE OF NURSING HOME OPERATORS.
(13) A REPRESENTATIVE OF AGING SERVICES.
(14) A REPRESENTATIVE OF PHYSICIANS.
(15) A REPRESENTATIVE OF OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS.
(16) A REPRESENTATIVE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS.
(17) A REPRESENTATIVE OF REGISTERED NURSES.
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(18) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A UNION FOR CAREGIVERS, NURSES
AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
(19) A REPRESENTATIVE OF WORKERS IN THE EMERGENCY AND
NONEMERGENCY AMBULANCE AND MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY.
(20) A REPRESENTATIVE OF BUSINESSES.
(21) A REPRESENTATIVE OF LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
OWNERS.
(22) A REPRESENTATIVE OF LABOR COUNCILS.
(23) A REPRESENTATIVE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS.
(24) A REPRESENTATIVE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS.
(25) A REPRESENTATIVE OF CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS.
(26) A REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORGANIZATION ADVOCATING FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY OR ARE ON THE
AUTISM SPECTRUM.
(27) A REPRESENTATIVE OF COUNTIES WITH A HEALTH
DEPARTMENT.
(28) A REPRESENTATIVE OF COUNTIES WITHOUT A HEALTH
DEPARTMENT.
(29) A REPRESENTATIVE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
(30) A REPRESENTATIVE OF FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH
CENTERS.
(31) A REPRESENTATIVE OF DENTISTS.
(32) A REPRESENTATIVE OF MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
(33) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF
PENNSYLVANIA COURTS.
(34) A REPRESENTATIVE OF RESTAURANTS AND LODGING
ESTABLISHMENTS.
(35) REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER COMMONWEALTH AGENCIES OR
OTHER ENTITIES THAT THE JOINT STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
DEEMS APPROPRIATE IN REVIEWING THE COMMONWEALTH'S EXISTING
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LEGAL STRUCTURE INFORMING PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORTS RELATED TO
COVID-19 AND FUTURE POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES;
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
EXISTING LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT COULD HELP OR HINDER THE
COMMONWEALTH'S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCIES SIMILAR TO COVID-19 AND OTHER FUTURE PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING:
(I) BALANCING COMPETING INTERESTS, SUCH AS DATA
PRIVACY INTERESTS, WITH THE NEED FOR INFORMATION AND THE
NEED FOR HEALTH PROTECTION WITH INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY;
(II) ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EMERGENCY
DECISIONS;
(III) CREATING REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC INPUT; AND
(IV) SERVING THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC TRUST.
(2) POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS, PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND
PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT NECESSARY CHANGES TO THE
LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH TO ENSURE THAT THE
COMMONWEALTH HAS THE AUTHORITY AND FLEXIBILITY TO IMPLEMENT
LIFESAVING PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS WHILE HONORING
PERSONAL LIBERTY AND DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
(3) ANY OTHER MATTERS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE JOINT
STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION;
AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
establish the advisory committee within three months of the
adoption of this resolution; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission present
its report to the House of Representatives no later than
January 1, 2025 2026.
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