Three bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) this week received unanimous approval from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and now head to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for further action.
The committee on Sept. 15 passed the Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act, H.R. 6813, which Rep. Reschenthaler cosponsored on May 12 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Theodore Deutch (D-FL) to equip first responders and caregivers with tools to prevent and respond to elder abuse.
“We must protect our nation’s senior citizens, especially those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, from falling victim to fraud and abuse,” said Reschenthaler, who added that H.R. 6813 “will ensure our nation’s first responders and caregivers have the resources they need to protect this vulnerable population.”
Also on Sept. 15, the Judiciary Committee passed the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2020, H.R. 8161, which Rep. Reschenthaler cosponsored on Sept. 4 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) to create resource centers that would help formerly incarcerated individuals reenter society.
“The most effective way to be tough on crime is by reducing recidivism, which means fewer crimes committed and fewer victims,” Rep. Reschenthaler said. “H.R. 8161 will accomplish this by providing formerly incarcerated individuals with the resources they need to fully reintegrate into society and contribute to their communities.”
The Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act, H.R. 7718, which Reps. Reschenthaler and Bass introduced in July, also passed the committee during its markup session. The bipartisan bill would provide a national standard of care to address the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women and their unborn children, according to Rep. Reschenthaler’s office.
“H.R. 7718 ensures pregnant and postpartum women in prison have access to necessary health care and services, which means better outcomes for mothers and their unborn children,” the lawmaker said on Tuesday. “I thank my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for advancing these commonsense criminal justice reforms today.”