Pennsylvania: Legislation

WomenVote PA organized its first women's lobby day in April of 2006 in collaboration with coalition partners from across Pennsylvania including the National Council of Jewish Women, the Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae of Philadelphia, Planned Parenthood Advocates, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the National Council of 100 Black Women, the Women's Law Project, and Pennsylvania NOW chapters. Over 80 individuals, many representing other organizations, traveled to Harrisburg to hear a panel of experts address some of the emerging issues facing women in our state.

WomenVote PA continues to work with women on state and local issues, providing lobbying training sessions where women can learn how to communicate more effectively with elected officials, and helping constituents with talking points and other resources. If you are interested in learning about lobbying and how to communicate with your elected officials, you can contact us by email.

Legislative Update

Status: High School Athletics Reporting Bills in House (HB2061) and Senate (SB890)

On June 30th, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee voted 19-4 to pass HB2061, the Disclosure of Interscholastic Athletics Opportunities bill, and after it returned to the House, it was recommitted to the House Rules Committee for consideration.

On the Senate side, SB890 was passsed from the Senate Education Committee (10-1 on June 8th) and is currently before the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Women's Law Project's web site contains information on what you can do to help level the playing field for female athletes in Pennsylvania. Please see what you can do to help level the playing field for female athletics in Pennsylvania.

Improving Unemployment Compensation for Women in Pennsylvania (HB2400)

HB2400, Amendments to the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Laws which would expand UC coverage for low-wage workers by crediting their most recent earnings, it would provide benefits to workers who are only available for part-time work, and it would make it easier for workers who leave their job for compelling family reasons to qualify for UC. See Improving Unemployment Compensation for Women in PA. Please contact your state representative and ask for support of HB2400.

Earned Sick Days: HB1830 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Days

On August 18th, the House Labor Relations Committee held hearings on HB1830. Many organizations, including the Women's Law Project. provided testimony about the need to provide a basic level of paid/earned sick time for employees and the huge impact it has on the health and economic outlook for many working families in Pennsylvania. HB1830 would allow most workers in Pennsylvania to accrue sick leave on the job. Employers would have to grant one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 52 hours of sick leave per year. Businesses that employ fewer than 10 workers would have to offer one hour of paid sick leave for every 80 hours worked, up to a maximum of 26 hours per year.