Pennsylvania HR 280: A Resolution directing the Department of Corrections to conduct an environmental study of each State correctional institution to determine if individuals housed in each State correctional institution are being exposed to harmful, hazardous or unsanitary conditions and to ensure that individuals housed in each State correctional institution are receiving clean air and pure water.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2088
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 280
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KINKEAD, HILL-EVANS, RABB, WAXMAN, PIELLI, WARREN,
PARKER, K.HARRIS, SANCHEZ, HOHENSTEIN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
D. WILLIAMS, FLEMING, FIEDLER, KHAN, HADDOCK AND SALISBURY,
JULY 7, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JULY 7, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Department of Corrections to conduct an
environmental study of each State correctional institution
to determine if individuals housed in each State correctional
institution are being exposed to harmful, hazardous or
unsanitary conditions and to ensure that individuals housed
in each State correctional institution are receiving clean
air and pure water.
WHEREAS, Section 27 of Article I of the Constitution of
Pennsylvania guarantees the right of people in this Commonwealth
to clean air and pure water; and
WHEREAS, These rights extend to all Pennsylvanians, including
those who are incarcerated in State correctional institutions;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals who are incarcerated in State
correctional institutions have found their environments to be
unclean, unsanitary and unsafe; and
WHEREAS, For example, the former Fayette County Prison was
built in close proximity to toxic waste disposal areas, which
was hazardous to the health and safety of individuals housed in
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that institution and the staff who worked there; and
WHEREAS, While some State correctional institutions have been
moved or rebuilt, incarcerated individuals and State
correctional officers continue to report serious pest
infestations, black mold, exposed wiring, sewer issues, lack of
running water and extreme temperature fluctuations in State
correctional institutions throughout this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Failure to identify and implement changes to provide
individuals who are incarcerated in State correctional
institutions with clean, supportive environments directly
impacts the rehabilitative goal of incarceration; and
WHEREAS, Forcing incarcerated individuals to live in poor
conditions directly violates the Eighth Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, which prohibits cruel and
unusual punishment; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has an obligation to uphold the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of
Pennsylvania and to protect all Pennsylvanians in an equitable
manner, including Pennsylvanians who are incarcerated in State
correctional institutions; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Department of Corrections to conduct an environmental study of
each State correctional institution to determine if individuals
housed in each State correctional institution are being exposed
to harmful, hazardous or unsanitary conditions and to ensure
that individuals housed in each State correctional institution
are receiving clean air and pure water; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Corrections collaborate with
the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of
Health, the Department of Human Services and any other State
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agency as necessary to conduct the study; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study, at a minimum, identify all of the
following:
(1) Health or safety hazards within each State
correctional institution.
(2) The impact of each health or safety hazard on both
incarcerated individuals and State correctional institution
staff.
(3) Estimates on the cost to fix all identified issues
for each State correctional institution.
(4) Recommendations for improving the health and safety
conditions of each State correctional institution;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Corrections submit a report
with its findings and recommendations within 24 months of the
adoption of this resolution to all of the following:
(1) The President pro tempore of the Senate.
(2) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3) The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the
Senate.
(4) The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the House
of Representatives.
(5) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Judiciary Committee of the Senate.
(6) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives.
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