Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing a bill that would enable unconstitutional intrusions of the government into a family’s private sphere and compound the child welfare system’s disproportionate targeting of people of color.
Pennsylvania House Bill 1737 was introduced to expand government surveillance and intrusion into our lives in response to a judicial decision that clarified the legal limits to which the government can interfere into the private family lives of constituents.
On June 16, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unanimously held that state agencies cannot force a parent to submit a drug screen as part of a child welfare investigation. The case was brought after a child welfare agency attempted to force a parent to take a urine test in front of an agency employee, based on an anonymous complaint.
WLP joined an amicus brief in support of the parents’ challenge and sent a letter to the Children & Youth Committee of the Pennsylvania House urging opposition to HB 1737
In that case, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rightly affirmed the Superior Court’s judgment that the Child Protective Services Law does not authorize an agency to compel a drug screening.
Now, HB 1737 seeks to override this decision by expanding the powers of the state in a way that will likely deprive Pennsylvanians—especially Black and brown people—of their constitutional rights.
Take Action! Urge PA lawmakers to OPPOSE HB 1737
HB 1737 already passed the Pennsylvania House.
Next, it is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 in the Youth & Aging Committee of the Pennsylvania Senate.
Click the link to find members of the Committee then click through for their contact information. And please spread the word by sharing this post!
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