Pennsylvania SR 139: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a registry for those who abuse individuals considered to be vulnerable populations.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1123
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 139
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KEARNEY, KANE, HAYWOOD, COSTA, SAVAL, CAPPELLETTI,
CULVER AND VOGEL, AUGUST 25, 2025
REFERRED TO AGING AND YOUTH, AUGUST 25, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the feasibility of establishing a registry for those
who abuse individuals considered to be vulnerable
populations.
WHEREAS, Vulnerability refers to the degree to which a
population or individual is susceptible to harm or neglect or
influenced by inherent risk factors; and
WHEREAS, Vulnerable populations are groups and communities at
a higher risk for poor physical, psychological or social health,
creating barriers intensified by social, economic, political and
environmental components; and
WHEREAS, Illness and disability can also influence the
vulnerability of a population; and
WHEREAS, Vulnerable populations include those reliant upon
others for their daily care, including children, adults with
disabilities and seniors; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth currently investigates and
maintains a registry of abuses for children for their protection
and does not currently maintain protective registries of abuses
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for adults with disabilities and seniors; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing
a registry for those who abuse individuals considered to be
vulnerable populations; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of the study, evaluate the effectiveness of registries and
whether any less onerous solutions exist to accomplish the goal
of keeping vulnerable populations safe; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of the study, examine the possibility and impact of creating a
combined registry of abuses for the protection of these
vulnerable populations, as well as improving, maintaining and
creating individual registries of abuse for these vulnerable
populations, including:
(1) Examining the manner in which a combined registry
passes constitutional limitations, including:
(i) The investigation approach or evidentiary
standard for registry placement.
(ii) For confirmed and or substantiated incidences,
the length of time an individual shall be required to
register for the registry and how long an incidence
impacts employment screenings or hiring.
(iii) Determining when an individual should
be placed on a registry.
(iv) The structure of the investigation process.
(v) The management of appeals.
(vi) Examining how information on the registry is
accessed by employers and other entities and how to
ensure that access to the registry is appropriately
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confined to balance reputational harms with protecting
vulnerable populations.
(2) The treatment of registrants by potential employers
relating to prohibitions on certain employment due to a
substantiated claim of abuse.
(3) How registry placement affects access to State or
local assistance programs such as the Medicaid exclusion
list.
(4) Examining other states that maintain an individual
or combined registry.
(5) Determining who will manage the combined registry.
(6) Determining how a combined registry impacts staffing
and hiring for impacted employers.
(7) Determining the defined costs for an additional and
necessary review officers for an individual or combined
registry;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of the study and to assist in developing findings and
recommendations, seek input from representatives and advocates
from all aspects of the human services sector and continuum of
care comprised of the following members:
(1) Representatives from various State agencies,
including:
(i) The Attorney General or a designee.
(ii) The Secretary of Aging or a designee.
(iii) The Secretary of Human Services or a designee.
(iv) The Secretary of Health or a designee.
(v) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or
a designee.
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(vi) The Deputy Secretary of Adult Protective
Services or a designee.
(vii) The Deputy Secretary of the Office of
Developmental Programs or a designee.
(viii) The Deputy Commissioner from the Bureau of
Records and Identification or a designee.
(2) Representatives from various stakeholders
representing those with disabilities, including:
(i) A representative from a group that provides
support to children and adults with autism or
intellectual disability in this Commonwealth.
(ii) A representative from a group that promotes the
human rights of individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and actively supports their
full inclusion and participation