Senate Democratic Policy Committee
Senator Katie Muth, Chair
Please contact the Dem Policy Team with any questions at (717) 787-1398 or via email at dempolicy@pasenate.com for information regarding the Policy Committee.
Death in Custody: A Public Health Crisis
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 10:00 am
Upcoming Policy Hearings
APRIL
2
Death in Custody: A Public Health Crisis
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 10:00 am
On April 2nd, Senator Katie Muth, Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Cappelletti will co-host a hearing on the Commonwealth’s absence of reliable information surrounding deaths in the custody of law enforcement and correctional institutions. To address the lack of reliable data, the federal Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA) mandates that these agencies notify the federal government of any fatalities that occur while a person is in custody. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks among the highest in the nation for death rates of individuals in custody, with state prison deaths increasing from 171 in 2019 to 239 in 2020. Disturbingly, county jails in the state reported 56 deaths in 2020, marking the highest death rate in two decades, with less than half of these cases being reported to the federal government. Comprehensive reporting is a crucial tool for public health and accountability, aiming to enhance transparency and maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system in the Commonwealth.
This hearing will be at the North Office Building Hearing Room 1, 401 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17120
If you would like to participate virtually, register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqcO-oqT8oHtZFRJxm91uXmAAPCIZD03FX
APRIL
15
Pharmacy Deserts: Ensuring Access for All Pennsylvanians
Monday, April 15, 2024 | 1:00 pm
On April 15th, Senator Katie Muth, Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Haywood will host a hearing to address trends in pharmacy closures across Pennsylvania, which have a disproportionate impact on underserved communities. The purpose of this hearing is to learn from stakeholders why this is a problem in Pennsylvania and how the General Assembly can act to protect those impacted by pharmacy closures. The hearing will address a number of key concerns, including those affecting rural and urban communities, as well as independent and chain pharmacies.
This hearing will be fully virtual on Zoom.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscu-tpzgrGNd0jmrpN51OM0u9Y7UKWXLQ
APRIL
17
Road Spreading of Brine in Pennsylvania
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 11:00 am
On April 17, Senators Muth and Comitta will hold a hearing on the practice of spreading brine on Pennsylvania roads. This hearing aims to thoroughly examine the environmental and public health impacts associated with the practice of spreading oil and gas drilling waste, known as brine, on Pennsylvania’s roads for dust control and ice management. Despite a moratorium implemented in 2018, reports indicate continued use of conventional drilling waste for road applications, raising significant concerns over the potential release of harmful substances such as salts, metals, and radioactive materials into the environment.
This hearing will be at the Valley Township Building (1145 W Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA 19320) with a virtual option.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckfumqqDMiHt0sA8UTe3Drfet3Lp0Qlf-y
Save the Date
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Road Spreading of Brine in Pennsylvania
Check Availability
Past Policy Hearings
Check below to view past policy hearing including video and testimony! Questions, comments or suggestions about the hearings, fill out the form below!
Eviction Sealing
February 14, 2024
Joint Policy Hearing Focuses on Legislation to Seal Eviction Records
WILKINSBURG, February 15, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), and several members of the House Democratic Policy Committee to host a joint public hearing on legislation that would establish a statewide policy on the sealing of eviction records.
The hearing, held at the Wilkinsburg Borough Building in Allegheny County, included discussion about the impact of evictions on Pennsylvania residents, the importance of fair and affordable housing, and the legal implications of not sealing eviction records.
Continue Reading →
Testimony
Panel 1: Affected People
Haley Passione, Court Resource Navigator – RentHelp PGH
Clara Weibel, Legislative Director – Pittsburgh City Councilmember Barb Warwick
Panel 2: Legal Implications
Holly Beck, Divisional Supervising Attorney – Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Deanna Dyer, Policy Director – Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Panel 3: Advocacy
Kyle Webster, Vice President of Housing & General Counsel – Action Housing
Maura Jacob, MPH, MSW, Policy & Community Impact Officer – The Pittsburgh Foundation
Aaron Zappia, Director of Government Affairs – Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania
Additional Testimony
Anil Dham, Housing Provider
Whole Home Repairs: Lessons from Year One
February 2, 2024
Policy Committee Highlights Whole-Home Repairs Program in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH − February 3, 2024 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee traveled to Pittsburgh yesterday to host two events to highlight the successes of Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Whole-Home Repairs Program. Less than a year after the distribution of funds, the Whole-Home Repairs program has already facilitated the repairs of hundreds of homes and changed thousands of lives, including many in Allegheny County.
“The Whole-Home Repairs Program is one of the best examples of how the government can directly support our constituents and meet one of their most important needs – safe housing,” state Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said. “Our events in Pittsburgh really highlighted not only the success of the program and the positive impact it has made in people’s lives – but also the unmet needs across the Commonwealth and the requests for funding that were not approved because of the lack of adequate, yearly funding for Whole-Home Repairs.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Allegheny County Analysis
- Dan Sullivan – Housing Stabilization Program Manager, Action Housing
- Kelly Scatena – Homeowner
- Justin Livingston – Owner & Project Manager, JL Homebuilders
Panel 2: Statewide Analysis
- Rick Vilello – Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
- LuAnn Zak – Assistant Director, Indiana County Office of Planning & Development
- Chuck Weiss – Associate Executive Director for Housing, Community Action Lehigh Valley
Additional Information
Reining in Water Rates: The Unintended Consequences of Act 12 of 2016
January 22, 2024
Policy Hearing Focuses on Addressing Rising Water, Wastewater Rates
WEST WHITELAND – January 23, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Senator John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware), Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) yesterday in Chester County to co-host a public hearing focused on water privatization and the unintended consequences of Act 12 of 2016.
The hearing, held at the West Whiteland Township Building in Exton, focused on privatization and consolidation of water and sewer utilities and how the provisions included in Act 12 of 2016 have led to significant rate increases across the Commonwealth.
Testimony
Panel 1: Affected Residents
- Bill Ferguson – Co-Founder, Keep Water Affordable
- Peter Mrozinski – Co-Founder, Keep Water Affordable
- David McMahon – Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts (NOPE)
- Kofe Osei – Towamencin Township Supervisor, Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts
Panel 2: Policy Solutions
- Anthony Bellitto – Executive Director, North Penn Water Authority | Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association
- Noël Brandon, Board Chairperson, Chester Water Authority
- Amy Sturges – Pennsylvania Municipal League
- Chairman Stephen DeFrank – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- Patrick Cicero – Office of Consumer Advocate
Additional Testimony
Minimizing Risk & Harm: Preparing for Pennsylvania’s Hydrogen Future
December 4, 2023
Policy Hearing Focuses on Minimizing Risk and Harm in Development of PA’s Hydrogen Infrastructure
EAST VINCENT, December 5, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Democratic Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, to co-host a public hearing yesterday on the proposed development of hydrogen infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held at the East Vincent Township Building in Spring City, focused on potential environmental impacts, community safety implications, and the various risks and challenges associated with the development and reliance on hydrogen as an energy source.
Testimony
Panel 1: Green Energy Supply
Panel 2: Public Health & Safety Implications
- Dr. Robert Howarth, Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology – Cornell University
- Tammy Murphy, Advocacy Director – Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Megan McDonough, Pennsylvania State Director – Food & Water
- Sean O’Leary, Senior Researcher – Ohio River Valley Institute
- Karen Feridun, Co-Founder – Better Path Coalition
Additional Testimony
A.I. and Its Impact on the Commonwealth
Novemeber 16, 2023
Senate Dems Discuss Impacts of Generative AI at Policy Hearing
PHOENIXVILLE, November 16, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia) and Senator John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware) to co-host a public hearing to explore the potential impacts of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Commonwealth.
“The potential of AI is exciting: there are opportunities for public progress and improving efficiency in so many fields– but the introduction of AI also presents new layers of uncertainty and risk,” Muth said. “Today’s hearing was a great opportunity for all of us to learn more about how AI can impact our government, our workforce, and the future of healthcare. The testifiers all highlighted the urgent need to enact protective regulations and policies to ensure that generative AI is used in ways to benefit and help people and not harm them.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Effects on Government
Panel 2: Workforce Impacts
- Angela Ferritto, President – Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Cole Scandaglia, Senior Legislative Representative – International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Panel 3: Healthcare Impacts
- Dr. Dajiang Liu, Professor and Vice Chairman for Research, Department of Public Health Sciences – Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine
- Dr. Shandong Wu, Associate Professor – University of Pittsburgh; Founding Director – Pittsburgh Center for AI Innovation in Medical Imaging
Additional Documents
Roundtable Discussion – Senate Rules Reform
December 7, 2022
Sen. Muth, Sen. Williams Highlight Need for Senate Rules Reforms at Virtual Roundtable
HARRISBURG, December 9, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and state Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) hosted a virtual roundtable discussion Wednesday night on the operating rules of the Pennsylvania State Senate and their package of reforms that would enhance transparency and ensure fairness in the legislative process.
The Senate Rules are the parliamentary procedures by which the Senate adheres to and the process by which the Senate creates public policy, considers issues and resolves disputes. The Senate Rules are adopted at the beginning of each two-year legislative session by a simple majority vote and will be voted on when the Senate reconvenes for the new legislative session on January 3, 2023.
Read to Succeed: Early Childhood Education and its Effects on Childhood Literacy
November 17, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Early Childhood Education and Literacy at Marywood University
DUNMORE, November 18, 2022 – Yesterday, State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne) to host a public hearing at the Fricchione Early Learning Center at Marywood University on access to early childhood education and literacy issues facing Pennsylvania students.
The hearing featured testimony from various educators and policy experts who all discussed the importance of high-quality childcare, early language, and pre-literacy skill development and how literacy has lifelong impacts on mental health, academic achievement, and professional success. Also discussed were issues regarding Pennsylvanians staffing shortages and inadequate compensation. A recent survey of almost 1,000 PA childcare programs showed nearly 7,000 vacant positions, resulting in more than 32,000 children languishing on waitlists for childcare.
Testimony
Panel 1: Educators
- Donna Reid-Kilgore, Pre-K Counts Teacher – Bloom Early Education Center | Teach Plus PA Policy Fellow
- Laura Sosik, 2nd Grade Teacher – Isaac Tripp Elementary School (Scranton School District) | Teach Plus PA Policy Fellow
- Donna Salva, Adjunct Professor In Graduate Reading and Education Programs – Marywood University
Panel 2: Policy Experts
- Lindsey Ramsey, Assistant Director of Policy and Practice – Trying Together
- Kimberly Early, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy – Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
- Donna Cooper, Executive Director – Children First
Additional Materials
Deceptive Practices of Anti-abortion Centers II
October 28, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Issue of Anti-Abortion Centers at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG, October 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) to host a hearing to explore the issues and history of state funding for so-called crisis pregnancy centers.
The hearing, which was the second held by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee on the topic of anti-abortion centers, took place at the Capitol in Harrisburg and featured testimony from medical professionals, students, a former volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center, and an advocate for the so-called crisis pregnancy centers.
DHS Overnight Stays
October 27, 2022
Testimony
- Melissa Harvey, MSW, LSW, Vice President, Community Based Programs, Gemma Services
- Frank P. Cervone, Executive Director, Support Center for Child Advocates
- Happi Grillon, MSW, Executive Director, CASA of Philadelphia County
- Terry L. Clark, MPA President/CEO, PCCYFS, Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services (PCCYFS)
- Kimberly Ali, Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Human Services
- Meg Snead, Acting Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
Why Pennsylvania Needs a Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
September 23, 2022
Policy Hearing Addresses Critical Need to Establish Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
PHOENIXVILLE, September 23, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and members of the Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees at a joint public hearing that focused the need to establish a statewide rape kit tracking system in Pennsylvania.
The hearing took place at the Upper Providence Township Building in Phoenixville and featured three panels of testimony from members of law enforcement, victim advocates, and survivors of sexual assault.
Testimony
Panel 1: Survivors’ Perspective
Panel 2: Overview of the Current System & Law Enforcement Perspective
- Debra A. Calhoun, Pennsylvania State Police, Scientific Services Division Director
- Sgt. James Holstein, Pennsylvania State Police
- Kevin Steele, District Attorney of Montgomery County
Panel 3: Policy Solutions
- Donna Greco, Policy Director – Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
- Mary Onama, Director – Montgomery County Rape Crisis Center
Health Equity: Enhancing Mobile & Community Clinics in PA
September 13, 2022
Policy Hearing Highlights Importance of Mobile Health Clinics in PA
HARRISBURG, September 13, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) to host a virtual public hearing on strategies to enhance mobile health clinics and community health centers in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held earlier today on Zoom, featured two panels of expert testimony from health care providers, advocates and professionals on community healthcare delivery in Pennsylvania.
Testimony
Panel 1: Community Health
- Eric Kiehl, APR − Director of Policy and Partnerships, Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers
- Richard Rinehart − CEO, Cornerstone Care Community Health Centers
- Donna Simpson − Director of Communication, Outreach and Mobile Services, Cornerstone Care Community Health Centers
Panel 2: Mobile Clinics
- Tracy Wood − Executive Director, Black Doctors Consortium
- Michael McShane, MD, EdM − Assistant Professor of Medicine | Penn State Health Medical Director, LION Mobile Clinic | Assistant Director of Core Clinical Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine | Health Equities Co-Clerkship Director, Penn State College of Medicine
- Morgan Hutchinson, MD − Assistant Medical Director, Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/JMH | Director of Education and SI-Design Track, Health Design Lab, SKMC
Other Materials
- Health Equity Proposal for Community Health Center Funding
- Health Equity – Enhancing Mobile & Community Clinics in PA − Statewide Map
- Health Equity – Enhancing Mobile & Community Clinics in PA − Philadelphia Map
- Brochure − Community Health Centers: Care That Puts You First
- FQHC/RHC/Free Clinic Requirement Comparisons
Policy Committee Surveys
New Home Survey
As Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, I have hosted dozens of hearings across the Commonwealth on legislative and policy initiatives that are important to all Pennsylvania residents. In the near future, we will be hosting a public hearing to examine challenges faced by owners of newly built homes in Pennsylvania and the lack of protections for these residents in state and local laws. We want your input! Click button below or scan QR code to take survey!