PRINTER'S NO. 2602
No. 308 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY THOMAS, NOVEMBER 8, 1999
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, NOVEMBER 8, 1999
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Committee on Health and Human Services to conduct
2 an investigation relating to the scope of the suspected
3 hepatitis C outbreak among firefighters in this Commonwealth.
4 WHEREAS, Firefighters who respond to medical emergencies
5 often expose themselves to bleeding victims and syringes that
6 may transmit hepatitis C to them; and
7 WHEREAS, It has been reported that there may be approximately
8 80 firefighters in the City of Philadelphia who may have
9 contracted the hepatitis C virus from their activities as
10 firefighters; and
11 WHEREAS, There is concern that this outbreak of the hepatitis
12 C virus may have spread to other firefighters throughout this
13 Commonwealth; and
14 WHEREAS, There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, and drug
15 treatment for the disease is effective only 10% to 40% of the
16 time; and
17 WHEREAS, It is important for the health, safety and welfare
18 of the public in general and of firefighters in particular that
1 the scope of this suspected outbreak of hepatitis C be
2 investigated; therefore be it
3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
4 Committee on Health and Human Services to conduct an
5 investigation relating to the scope of the hepatitis C outbreak
6 among firefighters in this Commonwealth; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
8 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
9 necessary in this Commonwealth. It may issue subpoenas under the
10 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to appear
11 before the committee and to answer questions touching matters
12 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce
13 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems
14 necessary. The subpoenas may be served upon any person and shall
15 have the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the courts of
16 this Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects or refuses
17 to testify before the committee or to produce any books, papers,
18 records or documents shall be subject to the penalties provided
19 by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case. Each member of
20 the committee shall have power to administer oaths and
21 affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be
22 it further
23 RESOLVED, That the committee submit a report to the House of
24 Representatives including its findings and recommendations no
25 later than 90 days after adoption of this resolution.
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