HARRISBURG – After an error by the Department of State derailed a bipartisan effort to bring justice to victims of childhood sexual abuse and led to the resignation of Secretary Kathy Boockvar, the Senate passed a bill today to prevent future mistakes.
“We introduced this bill to make sure the State Department never makes such an awful mistake again,” said Senator Dave Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill), the prime sponsor of the bill. The bill passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 36 to 13.
Senate Bill 764 is based on the findings of an investigation undertaken by the Office of the Inspector General after the Department of State failed to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment earlier this year. Argall’s bill will require formal training for the Department’s employees regarding their legislative responsibilities and the constitutional amendment process, ensuring these critical requirements never again are allowed to slip through the cracks.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration.
Contact: Jim Brugger 717.787.2637