Pennsylvania HR 480: A Resolution designating July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3168
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 480
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY McNEILL, HILL-EVANS, DOUGHERTY, FREEMAN, RIVERA,
MATZIE, HANBIDGE, HOHENSTEIN, HARKINS AND BIZZARRO,
APRIL 10, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, APRIL 13, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Court Appointed Special Advocates
(CASA) is a network of 21 local programs covering 32 counties in
this Commonwealth, which were developed to provide volunteer
advocacy for children before the court as a result of abuse or
neglect; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA, which was incorporated on July
15, 1998, receives State funding and allocates this funding to
local CASA programs in order to support the well-being of
children; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA has 1,051 active volunteers who
advocated for 2,092 abused and neglected children throughout
this Commonwealth in fiscal year 2024-2025 and donated thousands
of hours of their time; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA volunteers help to protect the
safety and welfare of this Commonwealth's most vulnerable
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children; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA assists in ensuring that
children's needs are met while in the dependency system and the
children obtain safe and permanent housing as quickly as
possible; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA volunteers are deeply committed,
specially trained advocates who work within the child welfare
system and are appointed by dependency court judges to provide
individualized attention and bring urgency to a child's needs
throughout the child's time with case managers, foster parents,
service providers, attorneys and other stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA maximizes community resources and
support for children and families within the child welfare
system through increased community involvement and awareness,
State and local advocacy efforts and a more coordinated and
compassionate response to child victims and families in crisis;
and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth recognizes Pennsylvania CASA
volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to
advocate for the best interests of children in court and
recognizes the volunteer board members and staff of the
Pennsylvania CASA programs for their contributions on behalf of
children of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate July
15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in
Pennsylvania.
20260HR0480PN3168 - 2 -
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