House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation amending the Human Services Code to create a Public Assistance Monitoring Program within the Department of Human Services in order to address the issues surrounding the unofficial “Air Bridge” program in Philadelphia.

For years, officials from Puerto Rico have been sending their citizens who are addicted to drugs to major cities, including Philadelphia, across the country on a one way ticket with promises of world class drug rehabilitation treatment and a better life. Unfortunately, once they arrive, the promises dissolve into a nightmare. The individuals are funneled into unregulated recovery homes, or wherever there is space, where they are often verbally abused by those in charge. Even more appalling, any identification, money, public benefits, etc. the individual have or may be entitled to or qualify for is often taken from them and cashed in by the same individuals running the home where they live. If the individual is lucky, though rarely, they will receive some sort of therapy at a drug-treatment center. Often due to this mistreatment, the individuals run away from the house where they were placed and end up homeless in a city where they have no identification or family and a very serious drug problem for which they need help.

My legislation attempts to address the problem with the public benefits to which the individuals are entitled. The legislation creates the Public Assistance Monitoring Program within the Department of Human Services and requires the department to monitor a provider or payee, both of who are required to participate in the program, quarterly for the first year a new resident is receiving benefits in order to verify that adequate care is being provided or that benefits are being received. In addition to the quarterly monitoring, the department is required to conduct at least one site visit to verify compliance with program requirements. The department can request the Attorney General to investigate any alleged violation and also refer any matter to Federal, State or local law enforcement agencies. Finally, the legislation allows the department to promulgate regulations to implement the program.

A program such as “Air Bridge” only worsens what is the worst public health epidemic Pennsylvania has ever faced. In order to address this and to take one of the first steps to help save these people’s lives, I ask that you join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925.