Senator Regan Announces Final Passage of Public Welfare Reform Legislation

YORK, PA – Senator Mike Regan (R-31) announced today the final passage of Senate Bill 6, comprehensive public welfare reform he sponsored.

“Senate Bill 6 is about addressing the most egregious abuses of our welfare system and enhancing the law to protect the eligibility of our society’s most vulnerable and needy.”

Central components of the bill address the eligibility of high-level felony drug dealers and non-compliant sex offenders, which were contained in bills that passed the House last session with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Additionally, the bill places controls on how and where EBT cards can be used, preventing the use of the cards at casinos and adult entertainment venues. SB 6 also requires the Department of Human Services and the Office of Inspector General to work cooperatively for the purpose of detecting and rooting out benefit fraud, and it requires lottery winnings of more than $600 to be counted as a resource for the purpose of calculating eligibility.

“This legislation is the product of years of work by many of my esteemed colleagues who, like myself, recognize the need to protect against abuse of our public welfare system and to ensure assistance dollars are going to those who need it the most,” said Regan.

Senate Bill 6 now goes to the governor.

“This is a fair and reasonable bill, and I look forward to the governor signing it quickly. He has been very engaged on this bi-partisan effort to achieve welfare reform,” stated Regan.

CONTACT: Erin Marsicano – (717) 787-8524, emarsicano@pasen.gov

Bruce McLanahan bmclanahan@pasen.gov

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