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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 9, 2013 09:22 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Phyllis Mundy |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Reintroduction of Legislation: Voluntary Income Tax Return Check-Off for Children’s Trust Fund (Formerly HB 231 of the 2011-2012 Legislative Session) |
| I will soon reintroduce a bill to create a voluntary check-off line on the Pennsylvania income tax return (PA-40) for contributions to the Children’s Trust Fund. The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) was established by the Children's Trust Fund Act in December 1988 to provide grant funding for community-based programs that prevent child abuse and neglect. Special emphasis for CTF investments is placed on primary prevention programs, which focus on the prevention of abuse before it occurs for the first time. Applicants are also required to utilize evidence or research-based methods to coach family care providers in effective strategies to strengthen families. CTF funds are currently generated by $10 surcharges placed on applications for marriage licenses and divorce filings. As a former member of the CTF Board, I know that CTF needs more funding to better support programs aimed to protect Pennsylvania’s children. My bill seeks to enhance CTF’s revenues by adding a space on the Pennsylvania income tax return (PA-40) whereby individuals could voluntarily designate a contribution to CTF. Please note that the amount designated by an individual on his or her income tax return form would be deducted from the tax refund to which the individual is entitled and would not constitute a charge against the income tax revenues due to the Commonwealth. Child care and early education programs have the potential to reach many children and their families on a daily basis. Enhancement of CTF funding would allow these programs to reach larger numbers of children and families and to act as an early warning and response system, allowing intervention to take place before abuse and neglect occurs. PRIOR CO-SPONSORS: Bishop, Brennan, Briggs, Caltagirone, Cohen, Fabrizio, Freeman, Geist, George, Goodman, Harkins, Josephs, Kortz, Longietti, Metzgar, Murphy, M. O’Brien, Pashinski, Readshaw, Reichley, Sainato, Santoni, Staback, Swanger, Toepel, Vulakovich, Wagner, Watson, Wheatley, Santarsiero, Bradford, Murt, V. Brown, Quinn, and Davis |
Introduced as HB637