Death in Custody: A Public Health Crisis
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 10:00 am
Upcoming Policy Hearings
APRIL
2
Death in Custody: A Public Health Crisis
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 10:00 am
On April 2nd, Senator Katie Muth, Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Cappelletti will co-host a hearing on the Commonwealth’s absence of reliable information surrounding deaths in the custody of law enforcement and correctional institutions. To address the lack of reliable data, the federal Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA) mandates that these agencies notify the federal government of any fatalities that occur while a person is in custody. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks among the highest in the nation for death rates of individuals in custody, with state prison deaths increasing from 171 in 2019 to 239 in 2020. Disturbingly, county jails in the state reported 56 deaths in 2020, marking the highest death rate in two decades, with less than half of these cases being reported to the federal government. Comprehensive reporting is a crucial tool for public health and accountability, aiming to enhance transparency and maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system in the Commonwealth.
This hearing will be at the North Office Building Hearing Room 1, 401 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17120
If you would like to participate virtually, register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqcO-oqT8oHtZFRJxm91uXmAAPCIZD03FX
APRIL
15
Pharmacy Deserts: Ensuring Access for All Pennsylvanians
Monday, April 15, 2024 | 1:00 pm
On April 15th, Senator Katie Muth, Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Haywood will host a hearing to address trends in pharmacy closures across Pennsylvania, which have a disproportionate impact on underserved communities. The purpose of this hearing is to learn from stakeholders why this is a problem in Pennsylvania and how the General Assembly can act to protect those impacted by pharmacy closures. The hearing will address a number of key concerns, including those affecting rural and urban communities, as well as independent and chain pharmacies.
This hearing will be fully virtual on Zoom.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscu-tpzgrGNd0jmrpN51OM0u9Y7UKWXLQ
APRIL
17
Road Spreading of Brine in Pennsylvania
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 11:00 am
On April 17, Senators Muth and Comitta will hold a hearing on the practice of spreading brine on Pennsylvania roads. This hearing aims to thoroughly examine the environmental and public health impacts associated with the practice of spreading oil and gas drilling waste, known as brine, on Pennsylvania’s roads for dust control and ice management. Despite a moratorium implemented in 2018, reports indicate continued use of conventional drilling waste for road applications, raising significant concerns over the potential release of harmful substances such as salts, metals, and radioactive materials into the environment.
This hearing will be at the Valley Township Building (1145 W Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA 19320) with a virtual option.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckfumqqDMiHt0sA8UTe3Drfet3Lp0Qlf-y
Committee News
PA Senate Dems Join PA House Dems & the PA Women’s Health Caucus for Hearing on Maternal Health Amidst COVID-19
Harrisburg − January 29, 2021 − At the request of PA Women’s Health Caucus chairs Sen. Judy Schwank (D- Berks), Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montgomery), Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D- Montgomery), and Rep. Morgan Cephas (D- Philadelphia) the Pennsylvania Senate...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on Raising the Minimum Wage for PA in Honor of MLK Day of Service
Harrisburg – January 18, 2021 - At the request of State Senators Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), and John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing on...
PA Senate Democrats to Hold Hearing on Raising the Minimum Wage for PA in Honor of MLK Day of Service
At the request of State Senators Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), and John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a virtual public hearing on raising the minimum wage for...
PA Senate Democrats Host PA Dept. of Corrections Sec. Wetzel & Others for Hearing on Impact of COVID-19 on Prisons
Harrisburg – January 7, 2020 − At the request of state Senators Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Philadelphia) and Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia) the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing on the impacts of COVID-19 on the communities, employees and inmates related to our state prison system.
PA Senate Democrats to Conduct Hearing on Impact of COVID-19 on State Prisons
PHILADELPHIA, PA − December 31, 2020 − At the request of State Senators Anthony H. Williams (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a virtual public hearing on the impacts of COVID-19...
State Senate Hearing Focuses on Expanding the Amber Alert System in PA
Harrisburg – October 15, 2020 – At the request of Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing to discuss expanding Pennsylvania’s Amber Alert system to include hit-and-run incidents....
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on Electricity Outages, Reliability, and Preparedness
Harrisburg – September 29, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing today at the request of Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks) to focus on electricity outages, reliability and preparedness. “At the end of the day, we need to...
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on Growing Popularity of Outdoor Recreation During Pandemic
Harrisburg – September 15, 2020 – At the request of Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing on ways to help manage and support the growing public interest in outdoor recreation during the pandemic.
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Arts, Cultural, and Historical Institutions of PA
Harrisburg – September 14, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing to focus on issues impacting the arts, cultural and historical institutions across Pennsylvania.
Policy Hearings
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