Pennsylvania SB 24: An Act establishing the Office of New Americans and providing for its powers and duties; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Americans and providing for its powers, duties and membership.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 9
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 24
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STREET, TARTAGLIONE, SAVAL, KEARNEY, COMITTA,
SCHWANK, COSTA, HAYWOOD AND KANE, JANUARY 22, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
JANUARY 22, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Office of New Americans and providing for its
powers and duties; and establishing the Advisory Committee to
Office of New Americans and providing for its powers, duties
and membership.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions
Section 101. Short title.
Section 102. Legislative policy and declarations.
Section 103. Definitions.
Chapter 3. Office of New Americans
Section 301. Establishment of office.
Section 302. Powers and duties of office.
Chapter 5. Advisory Committee to Office of New Americans
Section 501. Establishment of advisory committee.
Section 502. Membership.
Section 503. Powers and duties of advisory committee.
Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 701. Effective date.
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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 101. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Office of New
Americans Act.
Section 102. Legislative policy and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) According to the United States Census Bureau,
Pennsylvania ranked 42nd among the 50 states in population
growth from April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2013, increasing only
0.56%.
(2) In 2012, Pennsylvania's 769,264 foreign-born
individuals comprised 6% of this Commonwealth's population,
an increase of 1.9% since 2000.
(3) Throughout this Commonwealth's history, immigrants
have played a critical role in this Commonwealth's economic,
cultural and political growth and success.
(4) Policies that promote the attraction, retention and
integration of immigrants will help enhance this
Commonwealth's economy and diversity, thereby improving the
lives of all residents and helping to remove barriers that
may undermine immigrants' full potential.
(5) Immigrants currently fill skilled positions
throughout this Commonwealth's economy and are a vital part
of this Commonwealth's economy and tax base.
(6) Thirty-eight percent of immigrants in this
Commonwealth have a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or
graduate degree, compared to 28% of United-States-born
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Pennsylvanians.
(7) Organizations, including the Welcoming Center for
New Pennsylvanians and Vibrant Pittsburgh, are providing
leadership in this Commonwealth's immigrant integration
efforts through programs and services that connect newcomers
and longtime Pennsylvanians to economic opportunity.
(8) It is essential for this Commonwealth's future that
skilled, energetic and entrepreneurial immigrants are
attracted and retained. Their presence helps to bolster this
Commonwealth's economy and strengthen the social and cultural
fabric.
(9) States enforce and provide for many services,
licenses and educational and economic opportunities that make
it imperative to offer guidance to State government agencies
and to immigrants on how to navigate these resources.
(10) The creation of an Office of New Americans will
help to improve the lives of immigrants and Pennsylvanians
generally by recognizing these facts and promoting these
goals.
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Advisory committee." The Advisory Committee to Office of
New Americans established in section 501.
"Department." The Department of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Office." The Office of New Americans established in section
301.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Community and Economic
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Development of the Commonwealth.
CHAPTER 3
OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS
Section 301. Establishment of office.
The Office of New Americans is established within the
department.
Section 302. Powers and duties of office.
The office shall:
(1) Respond to inquiries from Commonwealth agencies, the
media, immigrant-serving organizations and the public about
immigration issues in this Commonwealth.
(2) Serve as point of contact for Commonwealth licensing
boards and the Bureau of Professional and Occupational
Affairs.
(3) Serve as an information clearinghouse for
Commonwealth agencies on immigration-related policy issues
and coordinate among agencies as appropriate.
(4) Analyze economic and demographic trends and make
policy recommendations.
(5) Develop strategies to attract, retain and
incorporate immigrants into this Commonwealth.
(6) Ensure that the Commonwealth is gathering relevant
data to inform the Commonwealth's policy