Governor Rendell Signs Legislation Establishing Center for Health Careers; Numerous Other Bills

SB 174 Creates, Promotes Opportunities for Education, Jobs in Health Care Industry

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed numerous bills including Senate Bill 174, which establishes the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers as a permanent part of the state's workforce development system.

"Having a skilled health care workforce means more Pennsylvanians can receive high quality health care – now, and in the future," Governor Rendell said during a public signing of SB 174. "Establishing the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers within the Department of Labor & Industry is the right thing to do from both a workforce and a health care perspective because we need to continue attracting people to health care careers, retaining the workers we have and building a skilled workforce."

Created by Governor Rendell in 2004, the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers works closely with employers, educators and workforce professionals to expand the capacity of Pennsylvania's nursing education system, improve workforce retention in the health care industry, increase the number of qualified individuals to fill positions in allied health professions and improve the career quality of direct care workers.

"Senate Bill 174, sponsored by Sen. Tina Tartaglione, will help us to continue the Center's already successful efforts, ensuring its ability to focus on short- and long-term health care workforce challenges," the Governor explained. "I commend the General Assembly, Labor & Industry Secretary Sandi Vito and the Center's leadership council for their dedication to create a stronger, healthier, more successful Pennsylvania."

For more information, visit www.paworkforce.state.pa.us, click "Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board," then "Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers."

After signing SB 174, the Governor privately signed the following measures:

House Bill 2253: An Act designating a portion of State Route 11 from the bridge carrying State Route 11 over the Susquehanna River in Point Township, Northumberland County, known as the Barry King Memorial Bridge, to the Montour County line as the Sgt. Brett D. Swank Memorial Highway.

House Bill 666: An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development interests in certain lands in the 39th Ward of the City of Philadelphia; and authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority certain lands in the 39th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.

House Bill 687: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in guaranteed energy savings contracts, further providing for definitions, for contracting procedures and for contract provisions.

Senate Bill 492: An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey, at a price to be determined through a competitive bid process, certain lands, buildings and improvements in the Second Ward of the City of Corry, Erie County.

Senate Bill 1074: An Act amending Title 61 (Penal and Correctional Institutions) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for state recording system for application of restraints to pregnant prisoners or detainees, for county recording system for application of restraints to pregnant prisoners or detainees and for incarceration of pregnant women.

Senate Bill 904: An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Public Welfare and the Governor, to grant and convey to West Bradford Township, certain lands in West Bradford Township, Chester County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to grant and convey to Waynesburg University certain lands in the Borough of Waynesburg, Greene County.

Senate Bill 928: An Act providing for divestiture by the State Treasurer, the State Employees' Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System of investments in companies doing business in Iran and Sudan.

For more information on specific bills, visit www.legis.state.pa.us.

Media contacts:

Christopher S. Manlove, Labor & Industry; 717-787-7530

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor