Both the House of Representatives and Senate will be in session next week for the first voting session days since the week of February 3, 2020. According to Senate Leaders, “COVID-19 discussions are ongoing between both Senate Caucuses, as well as House Leaders and the Governor. At this time, Senate Session will take place as scheduled next week.”

The session and committee meeting schedule could change at any moment. Here’s what’s currently on the calendar for next week:

On Monday, the House Education Committee will consider H.B. 1446 (Lawrence, R-Chester), which would provide for a parent/guardian opt-out of the Keystone Exams for philosophical reasons.

The House Insurance Committee will consider H.B. 1439 (Kaufer, R-Luzerne), which would provide for standardized reporting by insurers for alcohol and drug addiction treatment data, and H.B. 1696 (Murt, R-Montgomery), which would require insurance carriers that cover behavioral health to submit certain information to the Insurance Department on an annual basis. Furthermore, the House State Government Committee will consider H.B. 1874 (Grove, R-York), which would establish a process for the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) to review regulatory actions, and S.B. 575 (Yaw, R-Lycoming), which would establish a Watershed Innovation and Improvement Fund and appropriate $20 million for the purchase of verified nutrient and sediment reductions.

Tuesday, the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee will consider H.B. 398 (Day, R-Lehigh), which would add a definition of “financial exploitation” to the Older Adult Protective Act and establish a private right of action for certain financial crimes, and H.B. 400 (Klunk, R-York), which would establish abuse of social media by employees who post pictures of care dependent individuals without permission. In addition, the House Commerce Committee will consider H.B. 1957 (Keller, R-Perry), which would make changes to the Banking Code by periodically adjusting the required annual assessments paid by financial institutions and covert the Fund into a trust fund.

One public hearing will be held, as the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Education, Workforce, Community and Economic Development will discuss the PAsmart initiative, which invests in education and workforce development.

Wrapping up the week on Wednesday, the House Children and Youth Committee will consider H.B. 1270 (Toohil, R-Luzerne), which would provide early intervention services children born to mothers who are high risk for postpartum depression. Lastly, the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will hold an informational meeting on the spotted lanternfly.

See here for a full list of committee meetings, including any cancellations:

In addition to session, three special elections will take place on Tuesday for House members that won elections in other capacities.

  • HD-8 (Butler/Mercer): Tim Bonner (R) will face Phil Heasley (R) to replace Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R), who was elected as a Mercer County Court of Common Pleas Judge;
  • HD-18 (Bucks): Kathleen Tomlinson (R) will face Harold Hayes (D) to replace Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R), who was elected Bucks County Commissioner; and
  • HD-58 (Westmoreland): Eric Davanzo (R) will face Robert Prah (D) to replace Rep. Justin Walsh (R), who was elected as a Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas Judge.

The latest information from the Department of Health on the coronavirus can be found here.

Also see the Buchanan’s coronavirus page for things you need to know.