HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously passed Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Sens. Doug Mastriano (R-33) and Lisa Baker (R-20).
The bill would enhance the oversight at Pennsylvania’s six state veterans’ homes through their advisory councils as follows:
- Provide that the advisory councils are to advise the state adjutant general on resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities to ensure high-quality health care and well-being of resident veterans.
- Revamp the current advisory councils to include 15 members – including a family member of a current or past resident. Nominees would be veterans from the surrounding communities.
- Require the department to provide a subject matter expert to be available for each of the advisory council’s meetings.
- Stipulate that advisory councils comply with open meeting requirements.
- Require the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide an Annual Report to the General Assembly.
“Our state veterans homes deliver an incredible service – providing care to veterans and their families when they need it the most,” said Mastriano, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “Yet, it is important that we do our utmost that this standard of care at our Veterans Homes does not diminish. This measure would help ensure just that.”
“Pennsylvania’s six veterans’ homes are important in the state’s continuum of care for our veterans and their families. Having current residents select individuals, including at least one family member of a current or past resident, ensures a personal voice is shared. A loved one brings a helpful and unique perspective to the advisory council,” said Baker.
Senate Bill 129 now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration.
Click here for a link to the video of Mastriano’s remarks.
Click here for a link to the video of Baker’s remarks.
CONTACT: Nate Silcox, (Stefano’s office)
Jennifer Wilson, (Baker’s office)