Legislation co-sponsored by Representative Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) aimed at supporting grandparents raising grandchildren in Pennsylvania has passed the House Aging and Older Services Committee with unanimous approval.
“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.”
The proposed legislation would allocate opioid settlement funds to local Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies would use the funds to assist grandfamilies facing emergency needs such as clothing, personal care items, and other necessities for children under their care.
According to state data, about 11% of children in Pennsylvania live with a grandparent. Approximately 83,000 grandparents are responsible for nearly 260,000 children across the state. This reflects a growing trend of kinship care where grandparents step in when parents are unable to provide care.
If enacted, Area Agencies on Aging would be able to quickly assess urgent situations and distribute financial assistance promptly to families in crisis.
House Bill 1528 will now proceed to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.
