PA Commission on LGBTQ Affairs meeting on February 21

by Michael Mahler

The PA Commssion on LGBTQ Affairs met on February 21 at the PSEA Headquarters in Harrisburg. Executive Director Rafael Alvarez Febo gave a report. Febo took over for previous director Todd Snovel, who departed in December for another position.

Rep. Dan Frankel’s staff gave an update on a package of 4 hate crime billsthat had been introduced to the PA State House. They include HB2010 which deals with schools and colleges reporting by counselors, HB2011 - provide for education and rehabilition of those who committed the crimes, HB2012 - Training of police officers for identifying and reporting hate crimes, and HB2013, which will establish race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation and others as categories. The bills have been introduced, and are waiting to go to committee / working on moving through committees. There are related bills in the PA State Senate.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) had been allowing for a gender non-binary marker (X) on drivers licenses since last fyear, but the process of getting the marjerinvolved some manual steps. On March 29, there had been planned a system change to make it more straightforward. The form only requires customer to self-certify their gender, no medical provider certification is required, The gender non-binary/X designation can get RealID at no additional cost for just the X designation. (Normal charges apply for getting RealID.)

The ACLU gave a presentation on solitary confinement legislation that would rotect vulnerable populations including LGBTQIA+. It was introduced in the House as HB497 and in the Senate as SB832. The bill set a maximum of 15 days consecutive in solitary confinement, and a limit of no more than 20 days of solitary confinement in a 60 day period.

The committees met to discuss their topics and reported back to the commission. Also discussed were proposed individuals to full vacancies on the commssion. The Governor appoints people to serve, but does listen to recommendations from the commission.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 22.