Legislation Led by Brown to Aid Grandfamilies Passes House Committee

HARRISBURG - Legislation co-prime sponsored by Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) that would provide targeted support for grandparents raising grandchildren across Pennsylvania, unanimously passed the House Aging and Older Services Committee. "We see these grandparents doing everything they can with what little they have," said Brown. "This bill ensures support is available when they need it most - not months down the road, but in the moment. Many grandparents live on fixed incomes, so timely assistance is vital to help them care for the children they're raising." House Bill 1528 would direct opioid settlement funds to local Area Agencies on Aging so they can assist grandfamilies with emergency needs such as clothing, personal care and other necessities for the children in their care. In Pennsylvania, 11% of children live with a grandparent. In addition, approximately 83,000 grandparents are raising nearly 260,000 children. These figures highlight a significant trend in kinship care, where grandparents step in to care for children when parents cannot. Area Agencies on Aging would be equipped to evaluate urgent needs and distribute funds quickly, helping grandfamilies bridge the gap in times of crisis. House Bill 1528 now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration. Representative Marla Brown 9th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Rick Leiner 717.260.6437 (office), 717.497.8478 (cell) [email protected] RepMarlaBrown.com / facebook.com/RepMarlaBrown

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