LANCASTER – Senator Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) joined thousands of Pennsylvanians today in submitting public comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) opposing new regulations sought by the Shapiro Administration that would create unnecessary intrusions into the lives of citizens.
Martin – who was one of the lead authors of Constitutional amendments approved by voters in 2021 to limit a governor’s emergency powers – specifically raised concerns about proposed regulations that would expand the authority of the Department of Health and local health agencies to enter private residences and schools without a warrant, access private citizens’ health information, speak with children without parental consent, enforce mask mandates, and much more.
The Senator’s official comments also noted the proposed regulations were developed without input from lawmakers and run contrary to statements made by Gov. Shapiro during his campaign in 2022.
“I have grave concerns that the proposed regulations represent an alarming expansion of the Department’s authority that upsets the delicate balance between the Department’s mission and the Constitutional rights of Pennsylvanians,” Martin said. “Moving forward with these new regulations is a direct contradiction of then-candidate Shapiro’s stated goals and an obvious end-run around the will of voters, who pushed back against the Wolf Administration’s trampling of the rights of Pennsylvania citizens.”
Martin noted the Department of Health submitting the proposed regulations and soliciting public comment was only the beginning of the regulatory process.
The public comment period ends September 21. Full instructions for Pennsylvanians who wish to submit public comments are available at the commission’s online comment page.
After the public comment period ends, IRRC has until October 21 to review and respond to the Department of Health. The Department must also respond to all comments submitted during the public comment period.
After that process is completed, the Department may submit final-form regulations to IRRC, and legislative committees may take action to approve, disapprove or request legislative review at that time.
The process of submitting and reviewing final-form regulations is not expected to be completed until early 2027, at the earliest.