THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY HANNA, BRENNAN, EVERETT, FABRIZIO AND KORTZ, FEBRUARY 23, 2011

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MAY 10, 2011   

AN ACT

Amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), entitled,

as amended, "An act relating to counties of the first, third,

fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes; amending,

revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating

thereto; relating to imposition of excise taxes by counties,

including authorizing imposition of an excise tax on the

rental of motor vehicles by counties of the first class; and

providing for regional renaissance initiatives," in special

powers and duties of counties, further providing for board of

visitors for charitable reform and penal institutions.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1980 of the act of August 9, 1955

(P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, amended July 31,

1963 (P.L.372, No.200), is repealed amended to read:

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[Section 1980.  Board of Visitors for Charitable Reform and

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Penal Institutions.--(a)  The president judge of the court of

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common pleas in each county [shall] may, annually, appoint three

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reputable citizens of the county, on or before the first Tuesday

of January, to serve as a board of visitors for that year. Two

of the members of said board shall be of the majority party in

the county and one shall be of the minority party, all of which

shall be determined from the voter registration lists of the

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county. Vacancies upon the board shall be filled by the said

court in like manner. The members of the board shall serve

without compensation, but shall be paid such sum or sums for

actual and necessary expenses as may be approved by the board of

commissioners of the county.

(b)  The board of visitors of each county shall visit at

least three times a year all county hospitals or nursing homes,

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detention homes, children's homes, youth development centers or

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treatment units, jails or correctional facilities and like

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institutions of the county, or any agency of the county, or in

counties of the third class of the institution district of the

county, and all similar institutions and other charitable

institutions to which the county appropriates money. Such visits

shall be unannounced, and shall be made either by all of the

members of the board or by a lesser number acting for the board.

The board shall inspect the premises involved, and shall be

entitled to full access thereto and to interview any of the

inmates, patients, detainees, juveniles or children thereof, and

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shall inspect and ascertain all matters pertaining to the

welfare and proper conduct of such institutions as provided for

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in laws and regulations pertaining to those institutions and,

particularly, the treatment received by the inmates, patients,

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detainees, juveniles or children. The board shall make an annual

report to the court of common pleas, upon a date fixed by the

court, regarding all such things and such other matters as may

be referred to them by the court regarding such institutions,

and the board may also report to the said court, from time to

time, as the board shall see fit. A copy of such reports shall

be submitted by the board to the proper authorities for such

institutions and to the county commissioners. Nothing in this

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section may supersede any other law or regulation pertaining to

the inspection or operation standards relating to any

institution or facility referred to in this section.]

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Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.