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The Weekly Roundup
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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More Tools to Fight Opioid Abuse
As we continue to combat the opioid abuse epidemic plaguing the Commonwealth, the House Health Committee has approved legislation to better regulate pain management clinics and help identify patients who previously overdosed. Both bills will next be considered by the full House.
House Bill 1005 would help health care professionals identify and better treat patients who previously overdosed by requiring first responders and hospital personnel to document the use of Narcan, Naloxone or any other opioid overdose agent in the patient’s record in a state database. The database was created in 2014 to help track opioid prescriptions to prevent people with an addiction from obtaining multiple scripts from different doctors.
House Bill 1214 would require pain management clinics to be licensed and regulated by the Department of Health to ensure they are not prescribing or dispensing controlled substances inappropriately. While it is important to ensure people who are struggling with chronic pain can access the medications they need, it is equally important to prevent the diversion, misuse and abuse of controlled substances.
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My Legislation Is on the Move
Legislation I am sponsoring, that would require online lodging websites, such as Airbnb and HomeAway, to pay their fair share in taxes was reported out of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee last week. House Bill 787 will next be considered by the full House.
My bill would require online home sharing and short-term rental companies doing business in Pennsylvania to register with the state and share information with taxing authorities. This would be a minimal obligation on the part of these companies and will help ensure that conventional hotels and bed and breakfasts are not put at a competitive disadvantage with hosts that do not collect the tax.
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In the District
We had a busy Saturday morning in Jim Thorpe, where I presented a House resolution designating May 18 as Jim Thorpe Day in Pennsylvania. We also attended the opening ceremony for the Carbon County Special Olympics track meet. Congratulations to all who competed!
What a great day it was for a parade Saturday in Weissport as we celebrated Armed Forces Day. Thanks to all our men and women in uniform for their service to our great nation.
It was an honor to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday for the VALOR Clinic Foundation’s new veterans center in Kidder Twp. They do an amazing job helping local vets with housing and benefits.
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Honoring Our Heroes
Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day – a day set aside to honor the more than 1.1 million Americans who have died in wars which the United States entered.
Please take a moment this weekend to remember these men and women who sacrificed their lives for us or consider participating in a Memorial Day event in your community. Learn more about the holiday here.
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Traveling Over Memorial Day Weekend?
Travelers can log onto www.511PA.com to check current traffic impacts from construction, traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras. The service is free and available 24 hours a day.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Travelers are always reminded to buckle up, put their phones away and stay sober when behind the wheel.
In other PennDOT news, driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online here.
Also please note that our district offices will be closed at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, and Monday, May 27, in observance of the holiday.
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| Office Locations |
| 204B Bridge St., Weissport, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 420 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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