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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 in the community.
(iii) A representative from a group that empowers
individuals with disabilities and their families to seek
quality and satisfaction in their lives as well as equal
access to supports and services.
(iv) A representative of the class protected by any
individual registry.
(v) A representative from a group that focuses on
reducing trauma and supporting individuals in the court
system with an autism spectrum disorder.
(3) Representatives from various stakeholders
representing seniors, including:
(i) A representative from a group that coordinates
and offers services that help seniors remain in their
homes at the regional and local levels in this
Commonwealth.
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(ii) A representative from a group that identifies
and addresses elder justice issues, including abuse and
neglect, guardianship and access to justice affecting
this Commonwealth's seniors.
(iii) A representative from a group of expert
advocates that act as a voice for seniors by bringing
issues and interests of seniors to the Governor, the
General Assembly and the Secretary of Aging.
(iv) A representative from a group that makes
suggestions about rules and funding for long-term care
services.
(4) Representatives from various stakeholders
representing children, including:
(i) A representative from a group that provides
forensic interviews and forensic medical evaluations of
child victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
(ii) A representative from a group that provides
legal representation and social services advocacy to
children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
(iii) A county children and youth administrator.
(iv) A representative from a group that studies
questions and problems that affect children and makes
recommendations concerning legislation relating to the
interests of the children.
(v) A representative from a group that addresses
concerns related to complaints of abuse of children in
congregate care facilities.
(5) Representatives from various stakeholders
representing the legal impacts of a registry, including:
(i) A representative from a group that provides free
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civil legal assistance to low-income individuals.
(ii) A representative from a group that provides
support to district attorneys in this Commonwealth.
(iii) A representative from a group that recognizes,
reports and responds to the needs of seniors and adults
with disabilities who are the victims of abuse, neglect
or exploitation.
(iv) A representative from a group that secures a
fair justice system and ensures high-quality legal
representation for individuals facing loss of life,
freedom or family.
(v) A representative from a group that works to
eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate
for the rights and needs of victims of sexual assault.
(vi) A representative from a group that provides
free and confidential direct services to victims and
survivors of domestic violence and their children.
(6) Representatives from various stakeholders
representing potential and already impacted employers,
including:
(i) A representative from a group that represents
the labor, policy and professional interests of public
school teachers and education support professionals,
staff in State institutions of higher education, nurses
in health care facilities, retired educators and college
students preparing to become teachers.
(ii) A representative from a group that provides
affordable, community based, person-centered care and
services in high quality, State licensed personal care
homes and assisted living residences throughout this
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Commonwealth.
(iii) A representative from a group that educates
and advocates on behalf of vulnerable residents, their
caregivers and their providers of long-term care
throughout this Commonwealth.
(iv) A representative from a group that provides
independent living services for people with disabilities.
(v) A representative from a group that promotes,
advocates, supports and connects senior centers across
the Commonwealth.
(vi) A representative from a group that offers
mental health, drug and alcohol, intellectual and
developmental disabilities, children's, brain injury,
medical rehabilitation and physical disabilities and
aging services, through all settings and levels of care.
(vii) A representative from a group that advocates
and collaborates to improve professional standards for
home and community-based care and ensures access to
quality home health care throughout this Commonwealth.
(viii) A representative from a group that provides
support and assistance to county mental health and
developmental disability administrators.
(ix) A representative from a group that provides
support to organizations that provide services to
individuals with an intellectual disability and their
families.
(7) Any other representatives deemed appropriate by the
Joint State Government Commission;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
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report with its findings and recommendations, including any
proposed statutory or regulatory changes, no later than one year
after the adoption of this resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission submit
the report to all of the following:
(1) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Aging and Youth Committee of the Senate.
(2) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Aging and Older Adult Services Committee of the House of
Representatives.
(3) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Children and Youth Committee of the House of Representatives.
(4) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate.
(5) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Health Committee of the House of Representatives.
(6) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives.
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