PRINTER'S NO. 1938
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
191
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, BULLOCK, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, DELLOSO,
SANCHEZ, HOHENSTEIN, HOWARD, NEILSON, GILLEN AND GREEN,
AUGUST 29, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, AUGUST 29, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of October 2023 as "Special Needs Law
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, It is important for parents and siblings of
individuals with special needs to plan for the care and
financial support of their child or sibling after their death;
and
WHEREAS, Public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental
Security Income do not cover all of the necessary expenses for
individuals with special needs; and
WHEREAS, Special needs planning can include establishing
special needs trusts, evaluating care options, advocating for
programs that benefit individuals with special needs and
managing public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental
Security Income; and
WHEREAS, Special needs law attorneys throughout the United
States perform a much-needed service for their communities by
informing individuals with special needs, their families and
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caregivers about their legal options and protections; and
WHEREAS, The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national
organization of attorneys who have devoted themselves to aiding
individuals with special needs and their loved ones in
navigating disability and public benefits law; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with disabilities and their families
depend on the SNA to find nearby attorneys who are experts in
disability law; and
WHEREAS, Protected Tomorrows was founded by Mary Anne Ehlert
to help those with special needs attain greater independence and
security; and
WHEREAS, Protected Tomorrows guides families through the
process of planning for the future of a family member with
special needs in order to alleviate anxieties and secure a
brighter future for individuals with special needs; and
WHEREAS, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.,
(NAELA) was founded in 1987 as a professional association of
attorneys who are devoted to utilizing their knowledge to aid
elderly individuals and individuals with special needs in
navigating important legal issues; and
WHEREAS, NAELA established October as "National Special Needs
Law Month" in order to promote the many resources available to
individuals with special needs and their families as they plan
for their financial future; and
WHEREAS, Many NAELA members celebrate "National Special Needs
Law Month" by holding events in their communities to inform the
public about the options available for individuals with special
needs and their loved ones to safeguard their financial future;
and
WHEREAS, By recognizing "Special Needs Law Month," this
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Commonwealth can raise awareness of the resources available for
individuals with special needs and their loved ones to plan for
their financial future; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of October 2023 as "Special Needs Law Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Commonwealth express its full support for
all individuals with special needs as well as their loved ones.
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