Senate Approves "Ounce of Prevention" Bill

Bill Would Provide Home Visits for At-Risk Parents

The Senate today (March 21) approved a House Bill Tuesday that would provide in home help for at-risk parents, according to Senator Pat Browne, R-16th District and prime sponsor of the bill in the Senate.

Under House Bill 200, also known as the "Ounce of Prevention Act," new parents could receive counseling and guidance on a voluntary basis. Senator Browne is the author of Senate Bill 732, which mirrors the language of HB 200.

"I am very pleased to see this important legislation move out of committee and on to the full Senate for consideration," Senator Browne said. "Research shows that comprehensive early home visitation programs prevent child abuse, develop positive parent-child interactions, help the brain development of the child, long-term savings in both public and private health care costs and avoid future social problems. In addition to addressing child abuse, such programs help to ensure families' social and medical needs are met and that children are ready for success in school."

"We have all heard the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The same could be true for child abuse and neglect," Senator Browne said. "Several successful programs currently provide pre-natal and early childhood home visiting programs throughout the Commonwealth. Programs currently providing home visitations services include but are not limited to these organizations: Nurse Family Partnership, Health Families, Family Centers, Early Head Start and Parents and Teachers. These programs would be eligible for grant funding under this legislation."

The bill returns to the House for concurrence of Senate amendments.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468