PRINTER'S NO. 2220
No. 157 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY LAUGHLIN, KOLTER, BURD, ARTHURS AND MANDERINO,
OCTOBER 26, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, OCTOBER 27, 1977
In the House of Representatives, October 26, 1977
1 WHEREAS, There are certain patients in Butler and Beaver
2 Counties who have been subject to institutionalized care for
3 mental illness or mental retardation for a prolonged period of
4 time; and
5 WHEREAS, The Butler and Beaver County Mental Health/Mental
6 Retardation and Base Service Organizations are having a
7 continuing problem with placing such patients; and
8 WHEREAS, It is a matter of concern to the people of
9 Pennsylvania how patients such as these are being treated and an
10 inquiry by the General Assembly into their situations and the
11 situations of others with similar problems is warranted;
12 therefore be it
13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
14 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania directs the Standing Subcommittee
15 on Health of the Committee on Health and Welfare of the House of
16 Representatives to conduct a thorough inquiry into the
17 circumstances of the case of the patients heretofore described
1 and other similar patients. The inquiry shall include, but not
2 be limited to, the procedures and policies used in mental health
3 and mental retardation cases in general and in particular the
4 procedures, policies and practices of the placement agencies in
5 Butler and Beaver counties;
6 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee may hold hearings, take
7 testimony, and make its inquiries at such places as it deems
8 necessary. It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal of its
9 chairman commanding any person to appear before it and to answer
10 questions touching matters properly being inquired into by the
11 subcommittee and to produce such books, papers, records and
12 documents as the subcommittee deems necessary. Such subpoenas
13 may be served upon any person and shall have the force and
14 effect of subpoenas issued out of the courts of this
15 Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects or refuses to
16 testify before the subcommittee or to produce any books, papers,
17 records or documents, shall be subject to the penalties provided
18 by the laws of the Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the
19 subcommittee shall have power to administer oaths and
20 affirmations to witnesses appearing before the subcommittee; and
21 be it further
22 RESOLVED, That within 30 calendar days after the subcommittee
23 has made its report, the chairman of the subcommittee shall
24 cause a record of all expenses incurred by the subcommittee, or
25 the members thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth expense,
26 to be filed with the Speaker of the House and the Speaker shall
27 cause the same to be entered in the journal thereof. No expenses
28 incurred by the subcommittee or any member thereof shall be
29 reimbursable by the Chief Clerk unless such expense shall first
30 have been included as an expense item in the record heretofore
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1 required; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee report its findings to the
3 House of Representatives as soon as possible.
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