HR 480 — A Resolution designating July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   3168

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 480
                                                Session of
                                                  2026

     INTRODUCED BY McNEILL, HILL-EVANS, DOUGHERTY, FREEMAN, RIVERA,
        MATZIE, HANBIDGE, HOHENSTEIN, HARKINS AND BIZZARRO,
        APRIL 10, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, APRIL 13, 2026


                                 A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates
 2      Day" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Court Appointed Special Advocates
 4   (CASA) is a network of 21 local programs covering 32 counties in
 5   this Commonwealth, which were developed to provide volunteer
 6   advocacy for children before the court as a result of abuse or
 7   neglect; and
 8      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA, which was incorporated on July
 9   15, 1998, receives State funding and allocates this funding to
10   local CASA programs in order to support the well-being of
11   children; and
12      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA has 1,051 active volunteers who
13   advocated for 2,092 abused and neglected children throughout
14   this Commonwealth in fiscal year 2024-2025 and donated thousands
15   of hours of their time; and
16      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA volunteers help to protect the
17   safety and welfare of this Commonwealth's most vulnerable
 1   children; and
 2         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA assists in ensuring that
 3   children's needs are met while in the dependency system and the
 4   children obtain safe and permanent housing as quickly as
 5   possible; and
 6         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA volunteers are deeply committed,
 7   specially trained advocates who work within the child welfare
 8   system and are appointed by dependency court judges to provide
 9   individualized attention and bring urgency to a child's needs
10   throughout the child's time with case managers, foster parents,
11   service providers, attorneys and other stakeholders; and
12         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania CASA maximizes community resources and
13   support for children and families within the child welfare
14   system through increased community involvement and awareness,
15   State and local advocacy efforts and a more coordinated and
16   compassionate response to child victims and families in crisis;
17   and
18         WHEREAS, The Commonwealth recognizes Pennsylvania CASA
19   volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to
20   advocate for the best interests of children in court and
21   recognizes the volunteer board members and staff of the
22   Pennsylvania CASA programs for their contributions on behalf of
23   children of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
24         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate July
25   15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in
26   Pennsylvania.




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