Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania panel to vote on proposal defining sex, race
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania authorities rules can be revised with in depth definitions of intercourse, spiritual creed and race below a proposal set for a vote on Thursday — a change some Republican lawmakers see as an overreach on a topic they suppose shouldn’t be addressed with out laws.
The proposal earlier than the Unbiased Regulatory Evaluate Fee would enshrine into writing a set of definitions concerning the sorts of employment, housing, training and public lodging discrimination complaints that may be introduced earlier than the state Human Relations Fee.
Advocacy teams say larger readability concerning the phrases intercourse, spiritual creed and race can be a big step ahead, constructing on a 2018 determination by the fee to start out accepting complaints about anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.
“There are some points the place it is very clear the place the discrimination has occurred or hasn’t occurred,” mentioned Rachel Wentworth, government director of the Fort Washington-based Housing Equality Heart of Pennsylvania. “However there’s quite a lot of grey areas, areas the place the legal guidelines are worded in a method that is extra broad. So we actually welcome any sort of regulation or steering which clarifies a few of what’s lined below these legal guidelines.”
The proposal would outline “intercourse” as together with being pregnant, childbirth, breastfeeding, intercourse assigned at beginning, gender id or expression, affectional or sexual orientation and variations in intercourse improvement.
“Race” discrimination would come with ancestry, nationwide origin, ethnic traits, interracial marriages and affiliation, traits corresponding to hairstyles which might be traditionally related to race, and nationwide origin or ancestry.
And “spiritual creed” would cowl all facets of non secular observance, apply and perception.
In a Could letter to the Unbiased Regulatory Evaluate Fee, state Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, argued the brand new definitions had been in impact an end-run across the Legislature.
“The coverage selection of whether or not Pennsylvania ought to lengthen the definition of ‘intercourse discrimination’ in such a fashion stays simply that: a coverage selection,” Grove mentioned. “As such, it’s squarely and solely the prerogative of the Basic Meeting to pursue.”
Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, a longtime proponent of LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination payments, mentioned Republican opponents “have blocked each try that we have had on the Home ground to do that. So that gives loads of rationale to proceed on the regulatory foundation.”
The Pennsylvania Catholic Convention, the general public affairs arm of the state’s bishops, mentioned the intercourse discrimination proposal will harm small companies and spiritual entities and wouldn’t defend spiritual freedom. State legislation permits spiritual organizations to rent or make use of on sex-based grounds when that could be a bona fide a part of the job.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s press secretary, Beth Rementer, mentioned he favored making adjustments by state legislation. “Sadly, given Republican led efforts to push laws that solely seeks to discriminate and bully people and their refusal to take up commonsense payments, this motion by regulation is another method the administration can defend Pennsylvanians,” Rementer mentioned.
Fee Chairman Joel Bolstein mentioned in an interview this week that the proposal will not pressure spiritual organizations the place monks have to be male to rent females and that the state’s Spiritual Freedom Safety Act additionally gives some authorized protections.
A bunch of 11 Republican state senators additionally weighed in in opposition to the regulatory change, saying it “operates in distinction to the intent of the legislature, lacks prescribed statutory authority and finally garners our disapproval.”
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Enterprise and Trade mentioned it helps “the intent” of the fee’s proposal and that on the group’s request some adjustments had been made, together with a two-month delay on implementation.
“Typically, advancing public coverage by administrative regulation, as an alternative of codifying it in legislation by the legislative course of, can create challenges — together with probably drastic coverage swings from one administration to the following and lack of enter from a broad coalition of stakeholders,” mentioned the chamber’s authorities affairs vp, Alex Harper.
Though many municipalities within the state have nondiscrimination ordinances that handle sexual orientation, gender id and expression, that isn’t the case statewide.
In 2018 the Human Relations Fee introduced it might settle for and examine such complaints as sex-based discrimination.
Though the change was introduced in a press launch, and it has produced largely employment-based complaints, there are indications many individuals weren’t conscious of the 2018 coverage change, Bolstein mentioned.
The proposed regulation, he mentioned, “will present readability to the universe of people that might be complainants and respondents in circumstances earlier than PHRC.”
“We predict it is clarification that is crucial and useful, and it is within the public curiosity,” Bolstein mentioned.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania DHS Secretary Emphasizes Behavioral Health Investments and Honors Public Service Excellence – MyChesCo
COLMAR, PA — On Friday, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently visited Montgomery County to shine a spotlight on the state’s proposed 2024-25 budget under Governor Josh Shapiro. This budget not only allocates vital funding for mental health, substance use, and crisis services but also recognizes longstanding public service contributions through the prestigious Dennis Marion Impact Award.
Secretary Arkoosh commended LeeAnn Moyer, the recipient of the 2024 Dennis Marion Impact Award, for her unwavering dedication to ensuring essential behavioral health services are accessible to Montgomery County residents. Expressing her appreciation, Secretary Arkoosh stated, “As a former Montgomery County Commissioner, I know first-hand how dedicated LeeAnn Moyer has been to ensure that critical, life-saving services are available to our neighbors and in our communities every day.”
Acknowledging Moyer’s tireless efforts to secure critical support for behavioral health treatments and programs, Secretary Arkoosh emphasized the pivotal role of public servants like Moyer in safeguarding community well-being and promoting access to life-saving care. She added, “Even in the face of scarce resources, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that Montgomery County residents have access to essential behavioral health treatments and supports.”
The proposed 2024-25 budget includes $20 million for county mental health base funding for the second consecutive year, marking a significant investment that bolsters services across all Pennsylvania communities. Regarding this funding initiative, Secretary Arkoosh highlighted, “Last year’s $20 million investment was the first new money to counties since 2008, and this new investment continues Governor Shapiro’s commitment to support and reinforce this life-saving system of care.”
Furthermore, the 2024-25 budget earmarks $10 million to sustain Pennsylvania’s 12 call centers within the 988 National Suicide and Prevention Lifeline, building on last year’s $5 million investment. Describing the significance of this allocation, Secretary Arkoosh emphasized, “From advanced drain and pipe cleaning techniques to cutting-edge tools for unclogging sink drains, we leverage the latest technology to deliver superior results and enhance the overall customer experience.”
In a bid to enhance crisis response mechanisms, the budget allocates $5 million to establish crisis response systems in counties lacking such services and bolster existing crisis response capabilities statewide. Secretary Arkoosh explained, “This funding will support local response when a person calls 988 or a local crisis hotline and needs urgent, life-saving support.”
The Dennis Marion Impact Award, named in honor of Dennis Marion’s distinguished public service career, celebrates outstanding achievements by state or local government employees and seeks to elevate the standards of performance within Pennsylvania’s public sector. Recognizing individuals like LeeAnn Moyer, who exemplify innovation, collaboration, and commitment to enhancing behavioral health systems, Secretary Arkoosh noted, “LeeAnn’s ability to challenge the status quo and her unwavering commitment to advocating for the best interests of our community exemplify the core values of our helping profession.”
Through these commendable efforts and investments in behavioral health, Pennsylvania continues to prioritize mental wellness, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention, underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting individuals in need and fostering resilient, healthy communities. By recognizing outstanding public service contributions and reinforcing behavioral health systems, the state aims to create a more inclusive, supportive environment that prioritizes mental health care and well-being for all Pennsylvanians.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.
Several anti-Israel agitators were arrested at the University of Pennsylvania on Friday night after hundreds of protesters descended into a campus building and attempted to occupy it.
Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that there were multiple arrests at the university’s Fisher Bennett Hall on Friday night. It is unknown at this time how many were arrested.
The UPenn Police Department announced in a community notice that a “large disorderly crowd” began gathering at 8 p.m. on Friday, and moved into Fisher Bennett Hall on the university’s campus and attempted to occupy it.
Law enforcement advised students to “avoid the immediate area.”
BLACK STUDENT ERUPTS ON ANTI-ISRAEL ‘WHITE LIBS’ FOR BLOCKING PATH ON CAMPUS: ‘COSPLAYING AS THE OPPRESSED’
Pro-Palestinian protestors stage an encampment at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States April 25, 2024. (Getty Images)
Campus police, along with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department, escorted the protesters from the campus building.
POLICE ON UC IRVINE CAMPUS AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS SWARM BUILDINGS; STUDENTS TOLD TO ‘LEAVE AREA’
In an 11 p.m. update, authorities said that the protesters had dispersed.
An anti-Israel encampment is removed Friday at the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia. (WTXF)
The occupation came one week after police dismantled an encampment that had taken over part of the Ivy League’s campus for two weeks.
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In a statement, members of the Penn Gaza Solidarity Encampment accused the University of Penn administration of not negotiating with them in good faith over “Penn’s investment with Israel.”
SLATINGTON, Pa. (CBS) — A Pennsylvania man was arrested after state police said they found his roommate’s body scattered in three locations, including a trail, a cemetery and a quarry.
Police said 37-year-old David Hittinger’s dismembered body was discovered in Slatington, just 15 miles north of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The concern for Hittinger began Monday when a friend called state police.
“It was unusual that they had not heard from him in that period of time, [they] expected to hear from him.” Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said. “It was his birthday.”
That call led to a search the following day of 33-year-old Joshua Moser’s home, where investigators said Hittinger recently moved in as a roommate.
“As a result of that search warrant,” Holihan said. “Blood, hair, and other evidence were found in the basement of that home.”
Holihan said, on Wednesday, investigators found more evidence in the home.
“Items that were recovered included a saw, a boxcutter, more evidence of blood, including bloody clothing,” Holihan said.
Authorities found Moser in Monroe County where he was taken into custody on a parole violation. He pleaded guilty in a fatal DUI crash in 2016.
“Later that evening, the discovery was made at the Fairview Cemetery in Slatington,” Holihan said. “That discovery was physical evidence. That physical evidence included body parts, dismembered body parts of David Hittinger.”
The criminal complaint says Moser has admitted to the crime. Investigators did not release a motive.
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