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BILLS LISTED BELOW ARE FOR REFERENCE AND WILL BE ARCHIVED, SINCE THEY ALL "DIED" AT THE CLOSE OF THE 2001-2002 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN NOVEMBER.

HB 49, PN 2034 Schuler & 22 "Creates adult living residences, licensure and regulation"  Passed the House May 22^nd, Referred to Aging & Youth (Senate) on May 29^th.

(Copies of testimony delivered before the Senate Aging and Youth Committee on Nov. 19, 2001 on HB49 and SB 888 -- see below -- are available upon request from P4A.)

HB 490, PN 528 Maitland & 16 "Amending Public Welfare Code" Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services upon introduction 2/6/01. No activity since. Increases SSI supplement to person in personal Care Homes by $15/day; then following 7/1 increases the SSI in an amount equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding year. Also deducts a personal needs allowance of not less than $40/month from an MA eligible’s gross income and following July 1 also increases the allowance in line with CPI.

SB 301, PN 304 Boscola & 19 "Amending Public Welfare Code"

Referred to Public Health & Welfare upon introduction 2/5/01. No activity since. This bill increases the SSI supplement by $35/day utilizing the same CPI approach as the bill above. It also increases the personal needs allowance from a minimum of $25 - to $75.

HB 711, PN 795 Bishop & 20 "Amending Nursing Home Administrators License Act". Referred to Professional Licensure upon introduction 2/14/01. No activity since. Provides for the development of regulations dealing with: paying attention to nursing home occupants’ complaints, possession/removal of occupants’ possessions, personal bank accounts of occupants, accounting of occupants’ retirement and SS payments, burial expenses, exercise of occupants, proper attention to those bed-ridden to avoid bedsores.

SB 276, PN 341 Earll & 25 "Amends Public Welfare Code"

Referred to Public Health & Welfare upon introduction 2/6/01. No activity since. This is the companion bill to HB 711 making the same increases to the SSI Supplement for personal care home residents.

HB 1630, PN 2654 Sather & 11 Provides for training and certification of qualified assessors of individuals needing long term care services. Passed the house (199-0) 10/15/01; referred to PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE in the Senate 10/19/01

SB888, PN 1213  Mowery & 13 Provides for licensure of assisted living residences and services and expanded public funding for home-based and community based assisted living services. Referred to AGING AND YOUTH, 6/18/01

HB 1012, PN 4004 Micozzie & 68 Increasing personal needs allowance.

Passed House 4/29/02 (195-0). Referred to Public Health and Welfare in Senate 5/1/02; first consideration 6/11. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS 6/17/02.

HB 1803, PN 2318 Eachus & 43. An Act amending the Public Welfare Code, providing for publicly funded home and community-based assisted living services. Referred to AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, June 19, 2001

HB2055, PN 4402  B. Smith and 53. Would require elder care facilities to provide refunds and payments in certain circumstances, and inventory and store personal property. First introduced 10/22/01 and referred to House AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES; Passed House 5/6/02 (197-0). Referred to Senate AGING & YOUTH. Reported as amended and first consideration 10/7/02.

HB2202, PN 3038 Schuler & 35. Defines "Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device" (EPAMD) and provides for driving on the sidewalk. Passed House 198-0 on 12/12/02 and referred to Senate Transportation Committee. Companion bill is SB1225, PN2078 Corman & 16. SB 1225 signed by Governor on 7/4/02 as Act 105.

HB2272, PN 3126 Stetler & 35. Consolidates, editorially revises and codifies public welfare laws and provides for medical assistance payments for institutional care, and provides for certain reimbursements to medical facilities. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee 1/14/02.

SB1069 PN 1299 Tilghman & 8. Amends Liquor Code, adding a definition of "continuing care retirement community"; providing for a continuing care retirement community retail license not subject to the quota system; and providing for a local option ballot.  Referred to Law and Justice 8/31/01.

SB 1262 PN1675 Orie alone. Would require certain nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and others to maintain automated external defibrillators; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Health. Referred to Public Health and Welfare 1/23/02.

SB1288 PN 1697 Orie alone. Would amend Older Adults Protective Services Act and provide for reporting of older adults in need of protective services.  Referred to Aging and Youth Committee 1/31/02.

HB2338 PN 4371  Readshaw & 33. Amends the Welfare Code to allow home maintenance expense deductions for M/A eligible individual in a personal care facility if they are expected to return to their residence within six months. Passed House 10/1/02 (195-0).

HB2463, PN3529 Santoni & 49. Would establish the Center for Long-Term Care Technical Assistance and Resource Development under the PA Dept. of Aging. Referred to Aging and Older Adults 3/27/02

HB 178, PN 160  Baker & 58 "Amending Family Caregiver Support Act"

Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services Committee 1/24/01. No activity since. Increases reimbursement to a qualified caregiver from $200 to $600/month, with a maximum of $6,000 (from $2,000) per case for home modification or assistive devices.

SB 302, PN 305 Wagner & 19 "Amends the Tax Reform Code"

Creates the "Family Caregive Tax Credit Act" and, in so doing, generates definitions for "activities of daily living", "assisted living services", "cognitive support services", etc.. It further defines the "qualified beneficiary" and develops a tax credit equivalent to 15 percent of the amount spent on qualified services, not to exceed $10,000. It also addresses division of credit for couples and multiple caregivers.

SB 303, PN 306 Wagner & 19 "Amending Family Caregiver Support Act"

Referred to Aging & Youth upon introduction 2/5/2001. No activity since.  Increases payment to qualified caregiver to $500/month for out-of-pocket expenses and $5,000 (total case) for home modification/assistive technology.

HB 69, PN 54  Orie & 40 " Amending the Older Adults PS Act"

Referred to Aging & Older Adults Services upon introduction 1/23/01. No activity since. Expands the obligation to report suspected abuse to include anyone having employment/professional contact (ie: doctor, coroner, dentist, nurse, member of the clergy, social worker, law enforcement official). Also requires an employee of an institution, school, facility or agency to report to the person in charge of that organization.

HB 70, PN 55 Orie & 28: "Amending the Older Adults PS Act"

Companion to HB 69, this piece addresses confidentiality of reporting, liability and immunity. Warrants review as it may not ‘coexist’ peacefully with AAA roles and responsibilities.

HB 38, PN 24  Thomas & 17: "Amending the Older Adults PS Act"

Referred to Aging & Older Adults Services upon introduction 1/23/01. No activity since. Allows for employment by a facility of an applicant when ten years have elapsed (barring crimes of violence) since the date of conviction.

HB 171, PN 190  Blaum & 54: "Amending the Older Adults PS Act"

Referred to Judiciary upon introduction 1/23/01Plassed the House February 6^th, referred to Aging & Youth in the Senate on February 12^th.  Adds "individual acting under a power of attorney" to those that may commit an act of exploitation. Recommend positive reply as this appears to be a straight-forward and positive bill and PAAAA, previously, objected to Kevin Blaum’s PS effort.

SB 178, PN 186  O’Pake & 10 . Expands definition of "theft by deception" to include reclassification as a felony of the second degree those offenses committed by persons in a special position of trust to a victim age 65 or older. (previously a misdemeanor). Referred to Judiciary upon introduction 1/30/01. No activity since.

HB 119, PN 103  Orie & 46: "Amending the Older Adults PS Act"

This Bill provides that following an investigation of abuse, the department shall make available to any facility, upon request, the person’s name and photograph. It also requires the department to maintain a record and periodically seek information from law enforcement officials and district attorneys to update records, including name and photograph.

SB533, PN 1382 Earll & 20 Protection from abuse and guardianship for care-dependent persons.  Passed Senate (48-0) 1/29/02. Referred to House JUDICIARY 1/30/02.

HB2292, PN 3154 Feese &39. Would include "neglect of care dependent person" under a five year statute of limitations for prosecution. Referred to Judiciary Committee 1/23/02.

SB1059 PN1298 Greenleaf & 12. Adds offenses involving child pornography or abuse and invasion of privacy to items to be monitored in background checks of senior facility personnel. Referred to Aging and Youth Committee 8/31/01.

SB1003 PN1215 Tilghman & 5. Eliminates crimes older than 10 years, except those involving violence, as bars to employment at facilities for seniors. Referred to Aging and Youth Committee 6/18/01.

SB1265 PN1682 Greenleaf & 5. Provides for health care powers of attorney and makes related changes to the advance directives (living wills) law. Provides a statutory means for competent adults to control their health care either directly through instructions written in advance or indirectly through a health care agent. Establishes the Health Care Agents Act to authorize comprehensive health care powers of attorney and provide a framework for their operation.  The bill permits a person to use a health care power of attorney to name a health care agent to make all health care decisions for the principal, including those decisions concerning life-sustaining treatment. Referred to Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee 1/29/02. Reported as amended and first consideration 10/24/02.

SB 1287, PN1696; SB1288, PN1697, and SB1289, PN1698. Orie alone

Would require physicians and medical personnel and state licensed professionals to report elder abuse, and law enforcement agencies to identify those convicted of elder abuse. All referred to Aging and Youth Committee 1/31/02.

SB 125, PN 128  Holl, alone Referred to Public Health & Welfare upon introduction 1/29/01. No activity since. Appropriates $150,000 to Department of Health to contract with the PA Dental Association to establish a volunteer dental program that, among those served, would reach older persons.

SB 146, PN151 Musto & 4 "Amending the Administrative Code"

Referred to Aging & Youth upon introduction 1/29/01. No activity since. Creates a Commission on Health Care for the Aging within the Department of Aging with duties including: Conducting a general study of the long term care industry and the inclusion of Medicare-eligible persons under broad health care reform initiatives; makes recommendations concerning the advisability of including long term care as a component of overall health care reform by the Commonwealth; develop a definition of long term care; establish the components of the continuum of care; make recommendations on long-term care to the General Assembly.

HB2240, PN 3080 -- L.I. Cohen & 29. Directs the Dept. of Health to establish standards of care for Huntington's Disease patients in all licensed facilities. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee 12/12/01.

HB2241, PN 3081 -- L.I. Cohen & 29. Directs Dept. of Public Welfare to promulgate regulations for reimbursement for treatment of Huntington's Disease patients. Referred to same committee.

SB 360, PN. 373  Boscola & 10 Amends the Tax Code

SB 361, PN 374  Boscola & 20 Referred to Finance on 2/7/01. No activity since  Provides deduction for medical expenses as well as a $500 tax credit to persons whose household income doesn’t exceed 150% of poverty level.

HB 452, PN 487  Curry & 50 Amends property tax/rent rebate law

HB 469, PN 504 Habay & 52 Raises maximum rebate to $750.

HB 706, PN 790  Digirolamo & 59  Referred to FINANCE 2/14/01

Excludes Social Security and comparable pensions from income in determining eligibility for rebate programs. Further provides for transfer of additional funds from the General Fund to Aging to supplement Lottery dollars.

SB 200, PN 208  Tomlinson & 12 Freezes Property Tax Referred to FINANCE 1/31/01  Freezes property tax for persons over 65 and asks the Department of Revenue to pay the different (amounts of increase) to the local taxing authorities.

SB 110, PN 131 Boscola & 9 Freezes Property Tax. Referred to FINANCE 1/29/01  Basically the same proposal as 200 but with greater detail re: eligibility.

SB 41, PN 39 Bell & 6 Amends the Constitution Referred to FINANCE 1/22/01  Creates a freeze on school tax for persons over age 65 and within guidelines to be established by the Legislature.

SB 42, PN 40  Bell alone Amends property tax/rent rebate law

Referred to AGING AND YOUTH 1/22/01  Adds requirement of a statement from mortgage to verify claim.

SB 43, PN 41  Bell alone  Amends property tax/rent rebate law

HB 406, PN 423 Tangretti & 49 Amends State Lottery Act

HB 163, PN 140 Curry & 18 Provides a 20-100% school tax exemption for senior citizens based upon household income.  Referred to FINANCE 1/23/01

HB 305, PN 322 Mayernik & 19 Freezes school tax with Lottery funds  reimbursing the taxing authorities. Referred to FINANCE 1/31/01

HB2244 PN 3096 Grucela & 30. Would amend the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act, further defining "claimant" for purposes of property tax and rent rebate claim eligibility.  Referred to FINANCE 12/13/02.

SB953 PN 1132  Greenleaf & 9. Would create an exemption from increases in school real property taxes for eligible taxpayers because of their age and income level and for the reimbursement of school districts by the Commonwealth.  Referred to FINANCE, 6/8/01.

SB1186 PN1491 Gerlach & 4.  Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, restricting school districts from increasing property taxes under certain circumstances.    Referred to FINANCE, 1/11/01.

SB1209 PN 1526 Wagner & 13. Would amend the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act, further defining "income."  Referred to AGING AND YOUTH, 11/14/01.

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HB2485, PN 3553 Marsico & 48. Gives 50 percent discount on boat registration fees to those over 65. Referred to Game and Fisheries 4/2/02

HB2352, PN3226 Lederer & 44. Determines unemployment compensation for seniors. Referred to Labor Relations 2/4/02

HB2602, PN3766  McGill & 31. Would create optional senior citizen property tax freeze. Referred to FINANCE 4/29/02

HB 1, PN 301 Vance & 108. Pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly.

HB 444, PN 624 Walko & 43 Prescription Drug Price Reform Act

Establishes a rather extensive system of pharmaceutical price management, having the Commonwealth serve as pharmacy benefits manager. Mirrors language of several other bills. Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 2/8/01

HB 619, PN 675 Scrimenti & 35 Calls for a bold print fact sheet to

accompany all prescriptions.  Referred to PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE 2/12/01

SB 60, PN 56 Holl  Requires all pharmaceutical manufacturers having a

Rebate agreement under Medicaid enter into one with PACE.

SB 45, PN 43 Bell  Within PACE, increases the monthly allowance from

the lesser of a 30 day supply or 100 units to the "greater than" …

SB 254, PN 258 Wagner & 21  Creates a cost-of-living increase for PACE eligibility that’s consistent with the CPI. No fiscal note.

SB 300, PN 816 Costa & 19 This is an extensive bill that eliminates PACENET and establishes a single pharmacy benefits manager and drug utilization review committee with responsibility allocated to PDA.

SB 127, PN 130 Murphy & 18 Calls for pharmacy advertising and promotional expense disclosure and cost containment.

SB1009 PN 1256. Greenleaf & 12. Pharmaceutical assistance program, PACENET eligibility, seven annual income levels, deductible and copayment requirements  Referred to Aging & Youth 6/21/01

SB1022 PN 1274. Conti alone. Pharmaceutical assistance program; changes  maximum annual income eligibility, single $15,000, married $18,200, with cost-of living increase; PACENET program, changes maximum annual income eligibility, single $14,000 and not more than $17,000, married $17,200 and not more than $20,200, with cost-of-living increase; monthly deductible in unreimbursed expenses of $40.00 per person; pharmaceuticals, best price; would create the Prescription Drug Access Clearinghouse Authority, Medicare Managed Care Share Program, and Medicare Participation Fund. Referred to Aging & Youth 6/27/01.

SB 1203 PN 1508. Conti & 4. Same as SB 1022 but would change PACENET maximum annual income eligibility to single $15,000 but not more than $17,000, married $18,200 but not more than $20,200, with cost-of-living increase. Referred to Aging & Youth 11/8/01

SB1137 PN1418.Wagner & 22. Excludes veterans disability benefits as income in certain circumstances. Referred to Finance 11/11/01.

SB1152 PN 1434. Boscola & 18. Pharmaceutical assistance program; Contract for the Elderly Fund, including interest earned by Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund moneys; Secretary of Aging, recommendations on certain PACE and PACENET provisions  Referred to Aging & Youth 10/15/01

SB1167 PN 1456. Stack & 19. Assistance program for the elderly, manufacturer rebate amount, change to best price, as defined in Social Security Act, after December 31, 2001. Referred to Aging & Youth 10/16/01.

SB1340 PN 1807 O'Pake & 21. Amends Lottery Law and reduces PACE reimbursement. Referred to Aging & Youth 3/19/02

SB1341 PN 1808 Wagner & 21. Amends Lottery Law and provides for "excessive pharmaceutical price inflation discount." Referred to Aging & Youth 3/19/02.

SB1400 PN1905 Murphy & 21. Amends Lottery Law, provides for definitions, for drug utilization review system, a mail order program for maintenance drugs; further providing for pricing definitions and bulk purchasing. Reported by AGING AND YOUTH 4/15/02; first consideration 4/16/02 and re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS 4/17/02.

SB1455 PN 2045 Hughes & 6. Increases tobacco taxes to benefit PACE.

Referred to Finance 6/7/02.

SB1493 PN2183 Tartaglione & 13. Contributes State Liquor Store funds to prescription drug programs for senior citizens. Referred to Law & Justice 6/28/02.

HB2533, PN 3611 Yudichak & 43. Defines income for senior rebates and  assistance. Referred to Finance 4/8/12

HB2549, PN 3646 Laughlin & 49. Further defines income for PACE and PACENET eligibility. Referred to Finance 4/10/02.

HB2653 PN3902 Allen & 69. Excludes veterans disability payments because of service-incurred injury from income consideration for PACE/PACENET. Referred to FINANCE 5/13/02

HB2686 P.N. 3970 Pistella & 38. Establishes the "Enhanced Senior Services Demonstration Program" within the Department of Aging, Welfare, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Referred to AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES 6/6/02.

HB2860, P.N. 4329  Kenney alone. Amends Tobacco Settlement Act to reinstate PACE . Passed House 11/12 195-0.

SB1516 P.N.2216. Wagner alone. Would extend PACE eligibility through 2003. Referred to Aging & Youth 9/11/02.

HB 568, PN 625  Pippy & 103 Provides for home energy assistance

program  Referred to Health & Human Services on introduction 2/8/01

HB 55, PN 41  Bard & 30 Establishes a volunteer service credit program

This is the Bill we looked at last session that offers service credits to volunteers who provide in-home services to seniors or adults with disabilities. Volunteers may then exchange service credits for receipt of in-home services at such time they become elderly or disabled. Raises the same concerns as last session.

SB 258, PN 340 Wagner & 20 Supplemental appropriation to Aging for grants to senior centers. Referred to Aging & Youth upon introduction 2/6/01  Restores $2 million to capital assistance program for centers.

SB 304, PN 307 Wozniak & 19 Appropriates $4 million to Aging for grants to Senior centers. Referred to Aging & Youth on introduction 2/5/01 Provides funds for "in-home services, new construction, renovation and equipment".

HB 575, PN 632  Nailor & 74 Amending public utility statutes

Allows senior centers to elect to have their electric service billed at a rate equivalent to residential rates.

HB2213, PN 3813  Pistella & 25  Establishes the Intragovernmental Council on Long-Term Care and provides for its powers and duties.

Passed House 201-0 on 2/5/02. Referred to Senate AGING & YOUTH; amended and reported with first consideration 4/30/03. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS 5/6/02.

SB934 PN1113 Greenleaf & 12. Provides for  Statewide elderly volunteer
programs involving work with children. Referred to AGING AND YOUTH, 6/7/01

SB1275 PN 1684 Stack & 13. Would double  the minimum sentence of 12 months to 24 months for the offense of theft by deception involving elderly victims.  Referred to JUDICIARY 1/29/02.

HB2845 PN4306  DeLuca & 45. Permits citizens age 75 or more to opt out of jury duty. Referred to JUDICIARY 9/24/02

HB 179, PN 161 Baker & 23 Amends Solicitation for Funds & Charitable

Purposes Act. Referred to State Government upon introduction 1/24/01. Establishes a lengthy list of "donor rights" when making a donation to a non-profit, charitable organization.

HB 504, PN 542 O’Brien & 30 Amends Corporation Law for Non-Profits

Subjects non-profits considering merger, consolidation, or sale of assets to review by the Attorney General’s Office and court order of approval.

SB 195, PN 202 Rhoades & 9 Removes registration fees for annual filing.

SB 61, PN 57 Holl alone  Exempts from tax the sale of donated goods if it occurs less than 3 time per year or 7 days of the year.

(Previous bills displaced by Act 77: HB 121, PN 105; Allocates 25% to MH/MR direct care workers. HB 266, 267, 463, 464 Funding for juvenile diabetes. HB 455; funding for biotech/health research. HB 458; Health Opportunities for Pennsylvanians Enhancement Fund. HB 386 Public Health Trust Fund and local "challenge grants" for public health concerns. HB 549; another Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund working with the Governor’s budget proposals. HB 238; funding for cancer research. HB 299; Tobacco Settlement Trust & Board. HB 33;  funding to Volunteer Fire & Emergency Services.)