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Environmental Health Legislation in Pennsylvania
Legislation requiring lead testing in child care institutions and centers
This legislation would prohibit the Department of Human Services from issuing a license to any institution or care center in which lead levels are higher than CDC recommendations. In the case that elevated levels of lead in water, paint, or soil are found, the facility would be required to submit a remediation plan that follows all current regulations for removal and remediation.
April 16, 2021
Legislation providing for lead abatement assistance, establishing the Lead Abatement Grant Program, and the Lead Abatement Assistance Fund.
Abatement of lead paint is too expensive for many low-income residents and landlords. This legislation would create a new lead abatement grant program. Under this proposal, grants would be awarded on a competitive basis, with primary consideration given to municipalities that demonstrate a financial need and prioritize assistance to low-income households and those in which children under the age of six reside.
March 8, 2021
Legislation to increase testing of lead concentrations in public water systems.
Under current law, testing for lead only occurs at a limited number of sample sights every three years. This bill would require a complete test of all sample sites every three years, in addition to testing a reduced number of sample sites annually.
March 3, 2021
Legislation to increase fines for major facilities that violate air pollution regulations.
This legislation would require all major facilities to develop and maintain a municipal notification plan designed to give notice to immediate and surrounding communities whenever an air quality violation or pollution-related incident occurs.
February 2, 2021
An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes providing for hydraulic fracturing fluid tracer
This legislation would require that well operators add tracer substances directly to fracking fluids before the fluids are used in fracking operations. The addition of tracer substances would allow for the identification of fluids used by natural gas well operators which, in turn, would help regulators identify the party responsible for related water quality impairment.
February 2, 2021
An Act to lower the acceptable limit of lead in playground soil in Pennsylvania to 200ppm
“Currently, the limit for lead in playground areas is set in federal regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency. This limit is currently 400 parts per million (ppm) of lead in the soil. I would like to lower that limit. This legislation will lower the acceptable limit of lead in playground soil in the Commonwealth to 200 ppm. This reduction will assist in helping families to keep their children safe and healthy.”
February 1, 2021
Legislation to prevent the PA Department of Environmental Protection from regulating carbon pollution.
“An Act authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a public comment process on and submit to the General Assembly a measure or action intended to abate, control or limit carbon dioxide emissions by imposing a revenue-generating tax or fee on carbon dioxide emissions.” This legislation seeks to remove the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of its existing legal authority to regulate carbon pollution across all sectors – and ultimately, block Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
July 13, 2020
Banning Hydraulic Fracturing in Pennsylvania
Hydraulic fracturing has contributed to air and water pollution in Pennsylvania. We have ignored the staggering human cost of hydraulic fracturing for too long. This joint resolution will stop hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania as soon as possible.
June 22, 2020
An Act amending the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for powers and duties of department
“To combat continued DEP overreach I will introduce legislation holding the department to federal drinking water standards that focus on water quality, and not the wells or technologies that deliver water. This amendment to our Safe Drinking Water Act will preserve PA’s primacy over drinking water regulations, uphold the intent of water quality standards promulgated by the Federal government, and protect our constituents from unnecessary and encumbering DEP overreach.”
April 6, 2020
An Act providing for testing for dangerous levels of radon and remediation measures in school buildings, residential buildings, residential homes and commercial buildings; and imposing penalties.
Currently, there is no requirement for school districts, landlords and newly constructed property owners to test their properties for high levels of radon. This legislation will require that these properties be properly tested for high levels of radon and if toxic levels are found, the owners must take the necessary steps to attain a safe level of radon before allowing others to inhabit the property.
March 25, 2020
An Act providing for power plant host community benefit agreements between municipalities and owners of certain electric generating facilities.
The host fees and environmental safeguards I am proposing would provide much needed predictability for both host communities and power plant developers, thus avoiding an often-contentious process at the local level while, at the same time, adequately compensating and protecting residents. This bill will also require opportunities for the citizens of the host municipality, school district and county to provide meaningful input into any host agreement negotiated with the owner of a power plant subject to this legislation.
February 24, 2020
An Act requiring indoor contamination assessment certifications and environmental quality certifications of child day-care centers
Legislation to require that new day care centers, should they wish to operate in a building that previously housed a high-hazard business, perform environmental health assessments to ensure that the building is free of harmful chemicals and safe to house children.
February 18, 2020
An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971, known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for energy and fertilizer manufacturing tax credit.
As part of the ‘Energize PA’ package, a pro-growth, pro-jobs package of eight bills that puts more people to work without increasing taxes and fees, I plan to introduce legislation that will encourage manufacturers to invest in PA.This legislation will target those large manufacturers using PA Methane in the production of ammonia, urea and methanol. The Commonwealth is open for business, and we should be encouraging large corporations to make PA their home.
February 4, 2020
Placing Solar Panels on the Controlled Device Recycling Act List of Covered Devices
An Act to amend the Controlled Device Recycling Act (CDRA) to include the photo-voltaic modules of solar panels added to the list of items covered under the CDRA to ensure that the harmful chemicals in them do not end up in landfills and leaching into water supplies.
January 20, 2020
A Resolution designating the month of January 2020 as “Safe Drinking Water Month” in Pennsylvania.
The United States EPA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognize, through law, that every citizen has a right to know that their drinking water is clean and safe. This proposal to designate the month of January 2020 as “Safe Drinking Water Month” in Pennsylvania.
January 15, 2020
A Resolution recognizing the month of January 2020 as “National Radon Action Month” in Pennsylvania.
January is National Radon Action Month, whereby the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon. This legislation designates January 2020 as Radon Action Month in Pennsylvania, thereby encouraging all Pennsylvanians to test for radon pollution were they live, work, and go to school.
January 15, 2020
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949, known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program; establishing the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Fund.
This is a re-introduction of HB1636 from this session year, the bill has been re-drafted as a Public School Code bill.
December 18, 2019
Establishment of state maximum levels for likely carcinogens in drinking water
An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for powers and duties of Environmental Quality Board.
December 16, 2019
Amendment to strengthen the Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) by eliminating exceptions to the statewide smoking ban and adding e-cigarettes to the law
An Act amending the act of June 13, 2008 (P.L.182, No.27), known as the Clean Indoor Air Act, further providing for definitions; further prohibiting smoking in public places; and repealing certain provisions of the Fire and Panic Act.
November 26, 2019
Amendment of the Air Pollution Control Act to increase air pollution fines for major facilities and strengthen notification requirements
An Act amending the act of January 8, 1960 (1959 P.L.2119, No.787), known as the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for civil penalties.
November 25, 2019
An Act to lower the acceptable limit of lead in playground soil in PA to 200 ppm
An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for public health and imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection.
November 14, 2019
Restricting PFAS Chemicals from Firefighting Foam
An Act prohibiting the use of certain class B firefighting foams under certain circumstances; and imposing powers and duties on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the State Fire Commissioner.
October 30, 2019
September declared as “Emergency Preparedness Month” in Pennsylvania
A Resolution recognizing the month of September 2019 as “Emergency Preparedness Month” in Pennsylvania.
October 22, 2019
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949, known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program; establishing the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Fund.
This is companion legislation to Senate Bill 555.
June 14, 2019
An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971, known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program; establishing the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Fund.
This is companion legislation to Senate Bill 556
June 14, 2019
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949, known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program; establishing the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Fund.
This proposal would establish a $125 million grant program within the Department of Education, known as the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program. The grants would be distributed with $85 million to Philadelphia, $30 million to districts with high rates of poverty and the remaining $10 million to any other district. This would be funded from the General Fund.
June 5, 2019
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949, known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program; establishing the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Fund.
This proposal would establish a $125 million grant program within the Department of Education, known as the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant Program. The grants would be distributed with $85 million to Philadelphia, $30 million to districts with high rates of poverty and the remaining $10 million to any other district. This would be funded with money from the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Fund, the First Industries Program, the New Pennsylvania Venture Capital Investment Program, the Building Pennsylvania Program and the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund.
June 5, 2019
Amending the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act
I am introducing legislation amending the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) to protect communities from the dangers associated with contamination from the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). This legislation is based upon SB 852, introduced by my predecessor in the previous session.
April 22, 2019
Improving Standards for Maximum Contaminant Levels in Drinking Water
An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, providing for maximum contaminant levels.
April 22, 2019
Childhood Blood Lead Test Act
An Act providing for blood lead testing of certain children by health care providers, for health insurance coverage for blood lead testing and imposing duties on the Department of Health.
Jan. 28, 2019
Wastewater Systems Replacement of Customer Lead Service Lines
Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation that authorizes water and wastewater systems regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to recover costs to replace residential lead services lines and damaged sewer laterals. The bill, originally sponsored by Rep. Charlton (R-Delaware), will become effective at the end of December 2018.
October 15, 2018
Polystyrene food container prohibition
Reduce the adverse environmental impact of polystyrene food containers by prohibiting food establishments from dispensing prepared food to a customer in a polystyrene food service container.
July 17, 2018
An Act providing for the disposal of hospice or home health care patient medication.
Following a patient’s death, unused medications which often include prescribed narcotics are not disposed of properly. In accordance with the Controlled Substance Act, a member of the hospice patient’s household may dispose of the patient’s pharmaceutical controlled substances but the home hospice provider cannot do so unless otherwise authorized by (state) law to dispose of the decedent’s personal property. This act aims to improve drug chain of command to curb the opioid epidemic.
June 28, 2018
Resolution to Urge Congress to repeal EPA’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
MS4s are conveyances or systems of conveyances including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains that are ownedvor operated by a public entity, are designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, and are not a combined sewer or part of a publicly-owned treatment works. A municipality is bound by US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for an MS4 when all or a portion of a municipality lies within an urbanized area (UA), as determined by the US Census Bureau
April 16, 2018
April 16 through 22, 2018, as “Clean Streams Week”
A Resolution designating the week of April 16 through 22, 2018, as “Clean Streams Week” in Pennsylvania.
April 5, 2018
An Act relating to conventional wells and the development of oil, gas and coal
Senate and House Bills Imposing powers and duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and providing for general requirements for underground gas storage, enforcement, remedies, and related funds.
March 19, 2018
Lyme disease research and data surveillance.
A Resolution urging the Federal Government to allocate significant funds to Pennsylvania to be used for Lyme disease research and data surveillance.
March 15, 2018
An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) providing for transition to renewable energy;
Imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection and other Commonwealth agencies relating to energy consumption and renewable energy generation; establishing the Clean Energy Transition Task Force, the Clean Energy Center of Excellence, the Council for Clean Energy Workforce Development and the Clean Energy Workforce Development Fund; and providing for interim limits on energy produced from nonrenewable sources.
March 9, 2018
An Act providing for lead testing in child day care centers and family child care homes.
An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in departmental powers and duties as to supervision, providing for lead testing in children’s institutions; and, in departmental powers and duties as to licensing, providing for lead testing in child day care centers and family child care homes.
Feb. 14, 2018
An Act amending the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for lead testing.
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for lead testing.
Feb. 5, 2018
A Resolution recognizing the month of January 2018 as “Radon Action Month” in Pennsylvania.
Unanimously Adopted (181-0) [House]
Jan. 22, 2018
An Act amending the act of July 7, 1980, known as the Solid Waste Management Act, in general provisions, further providing for definitions.
Feb. 15, 2018
An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for work requirements.
Work and Community Engagement Requirement for Medical Assistance
Jan. 22, 2018
An Act providing for blood lead testing of certain children by health care providers
Imposing duties on the Department of Health.Legislation to require that all Pennsylvania children are tested for lead at ages one and two.
Jan. 3, 2018
An Act amending the act of December 1, 2004 (P.L.1766, No.227), entitled “An act authorizing cities of the first class that have adopted a home rule charter to enforce ordinances, rules and regulations prohibiting dumping or disposal of waste, trash or debris,” further providing for enforcement of trash laws.
Enforcement of Trash Laws – Disposal of Waste Tires in a City of the First Class
Dec. 6, 2017
An Act Providing for Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks and Tank Facilities
An act providing for the regulation of underground storage tanks and tank facilities; imposing additional powers and duties on the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Quality Board; and making an appropriation
Dec. 21, 2017
An Act Amending the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act
legislation amending the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) aimed at communities impacted by water contamination from the release of polyfluoroalkyl substances and perfluorinated chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
August 29, 2017
A Resolution to Suspend a Prohibition on Natural Gas Drilling
A Resolution urging the Delaware River Basin Commission to suspend consideration of a moratorium on natural gas drilling in the Delaware River Basin.
An Act Amending The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951
Imposing penalities for lead-based paint and related hazardous conditions.
