HB 973 — An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in departmental powers and duties as to licensing, further providing for refusal to issue license, revocation and notice; and imposing penalties.
Last action — Laid on the table
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
33 added · 18 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill HB 973 adds new violations and corresponding penalties for facilities that fail to meet certain standards regarding child rights and staff qualifications. Specifically, the bill now includes repeated violations of children’s rights, issues related to staff hiring and training, and requirements for educational programs. These changes are significant because they enhance accountability for child care providers, ensuring better protection and support for children in these settings. Additionally, the revised language clarifies the enforcement process, helping to ensure that violators face appropriate consequences.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
993 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
2808 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
WILLIAMSWILLIAMS, FREEMAN, GREEN, OTTEN AND FREEMAN,KRAJEWSKI, APRIL 24, 2023 REFERREDAS TOREPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, APRILHOUSE 24,OF 2023REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 26, 2024 AN ACT Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public welfareduties lawsas ofto thelicensing, Commonwealth,"further inproviding departmentalfor powersrefusal tos and issue license, revocation and notice;
(6) Repeated MORE THAN THREE violations of a child's <-- specific rights as enumerated in 55 Pa.
or <-- (7) A violation on the use of restraints as enumerated in 55 Pa.
Code § 3800.202 (relating to appropriate use of restrictive procedures).procedures).;
(b.1)<-- Penalties(8) andA correctiveVIOLATION actionsOF mayTHE includeSTAFF imposingHIRING, finesTRAINING onAND aSUPERVISING facilityREQUIREMENTS orUNDER mandating55 disciplinaryPA. procedures against a staff member responsible for a violation.
CODE § 3800.51 (RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS), 3800.52 (RELATING TO STAFF HIRING, RETENTION AND UTILIZATION), 3800.53 (RELATING TO DIRECTOR), 3800.54 (RELATING TO CHILD CARE SUPERVISOR), 3800.55 (RELATING TO CHILD CARE WORKER), 3800.56 (RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS FOR STAFF QUALIFICATIONS), 3800.57 (RELATING TO SUPERVISION) OR 3800.58 (RELATING TO STAFF TRAINING);
OR (9) A VIOLATION OF THE REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE A DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-APPROVED SCHOOL PROGRAM OR AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM UNDER CONTRACT WITH A LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 55 PA.
CODE § 3800.229 (RELATING TO EDUCATION).
(b.1) Penalties IN ADDITION TO REFUSING TO ISSUE A LICENSE <-- OR REVOKING A LICENSE, PENALTIES and corrective actions may include imposing fines on a facility or mandating disciplinary 20230HB0973PN2808 - 2 - procedures against a staff member responsible for a violation.
20230HB0973PN099320230HB0973PN2808 - 23 -
Amendments
1 amendmentClick Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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Laid on the table
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First consideration
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Reported as amended
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Referred to Children & Youth
Sponsors
- Carol Kazeem · Primary
- Lisa A. Borowski · Cosponsor
- Gina H. Curry · Cosponsor
- Maureen E. Madden · Cosponsor
- Ben Waxman · Cosponsor
- Darisha K. Parker · Cosponsor
- Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz · Cosponsor
- Carol Hill-Evans · Cosponsor
- Elizabeth Fiedler · Cosponsor
- Nancy Guenst · Cosponsor
- Liz Hanbidge · Cosponsor
- Tarik Khan · Cosponsor
- Melissa L. Shusterman · Cosponsor
- Napoleon J. Nelson · Cosponsor
- Kristine C. Howard · Cosponsor
- Dan K. Williams · Cosponsor
- Robert Freeman · Cosponsor
- G. Roni Green · Cosponsor
- Danielle Friel Otten · Cosponsor
- Rick Krajewski · Cosponsor
- Benjamin V. Sanchez · Cosponsor
- David M. Delloso · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 21 co-sponsors · 231 not signed on · 11 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Carol Kazeem Democratic
Co-sponsors (21)
- Lisa A. Borowski Democratic
- Gina H. Curry Democratic
- Maureen E. Madden Democratic
- Ben Waxman Democratic
- Darisha K. Parker Democratic
- Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz Democratic
- Carol Hill-Evans Democratic
- Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic
- Nancy Guenst Democratic
- Liz Hanbidge Democratic
- Tarik Khan Democratic
- Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic
- Napoleon J. Nelson Democratic
- Kristine C. Howard Democratic
- Dan K. Williams Democratic
- Robert Freeman Democratic
- G. Roni Green Democratic
- Danielle Friel Otten Democratic
- Rick Krajewski Democratic
- Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic
- David M. Delloso Democratic
Not signed on (231)
231 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 231 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 13 | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 52% | 44% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (25)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Jozwiak | — | Nay |
| Donna Bullock | — | Yea |
| Anthony A. Bellmon | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Kazeem | Democratic | Yea |
| Gina H. Curry | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Heather Boyd | Democratic | Yea |
| Joe McAndrew | Democratic | Yea |
| Justin C. Fleming | Democratic | Yea |
| Kristine C. Howard | Democratic | Yea |
| Lindsay Powell | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa Cerrato | Democratic | Yea |
| Nancy Guenst | Democratic | Yea |
| Napoleon J. Nelson | Democratic | Yea |
| Rick Krajewski | Democratic | Yea |
| Charity Grimm Krupa | Republican | Nay |
| Dane Watro | Republican | Nay |
| David H. Zimmerman | Republican | Nay |
| Jamie L. Flick | Republican | Nay |
| Joe Hogan | Republican | Nay |
| John A. Schlegel | Republican | Nay |
| Leslie Rossi | Republican | Nay |
| Milou Mackenzie | Republican | Nay |
| Thomas H. Kutz | Republican | Nay |
| Wendy Fink | Republican | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 56% | 44% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (25)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Jozwiak | — | Nay |
| Donna Bullock | — | Yea |
| Anthony A. Bellmon | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Kazeem | Democratic | Yea |
| Gina H. Curry | Democratic | Yea |
| Heather Boyd | Democratic | Yea |
| Joe McAndrew | Democratic | Yea |
| Justin C. Fleming | Democratic | Yea |
| Kristine C. Howard | Democratic | Yea |
| Lindsay Powell | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa Cerrato | Democratic | Yea |
| Nancy Guenst | Democratic | Yea |
| Napoleon J. Nelson | Democratic | Yea |
| Rick Krajewski | Democratic | Yea |
| Charity Grimm Krupa | Republican | Nay |
| Dane Watro | Republican | Nay |
| David H. Zimmerman | Republican | Nay |
| Jamie L. Flick | Republican | Nay |
| Joe Hogan | Republican | Nay |
| John A. Schlegel | Republican | Nay |
| Leslie Rossi | Republican | Nay |
| Milou Mackenzie | Republican | Nay |
| Thomas H. Kutz | Republican | Nay |
| Wendy Fink | Republican | Nay |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 973?
- HB 973 is sponsored by Carol Kazeem (Democratic), Lisa A. Borowski (Democratic), Gina H. Curry (Democratic), Maureen E. Madden (Democratic), Ben Waxman (Democratic), Darisha K. Parker (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Elizabeth Fiedler (Democratic), Nancy Guenst (Democratic), Liz Hanbidge (Democratic), Tarik Khan (Democratic), Melissa L. Shusterman (Democratic), Napoleon J. Nelson (Democratic), Kristine C. Howard (Democratic), Dan K. Williams (Democratic), Robert Freeman (Democratic), G. Roni Green (Democratic), Danielle Friel Otten (Democratic), Rick Krajewski (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), and David M. Delloso (Democratic).
- What is the current status of HB 973?
- This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track HB 973?
- Track HB 973 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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