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Govt. Affairs

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Advocate for yourselves and others by meeting with legislators directly! RCPA invites you to join us as we hold our annual Capitol Day this year on Wednesday, March 25. We will hold a press conference in the Main Rotunda between 10:00 am – 11:00 am, which will include legislators and leaders in human services.

You can register for our Capitol Day press conference by contacting Christine Tartaglione. We invite you to bring individuals and the families you support, additional staff, and colleagues to this advocacy event, and ask that you let us know if these individuals are planning to attend.

RCPA requests that members schedule appointments with their Senate and House legislators directly to discuss the state budget, legislation, and regulations either prior to or immediately after our press conference. For providers of IDD services, we are aware that PAR is also having a day of legislative meetings (non-Press Event) at the Capitol on the same day. If you are a member of both associations, please join our Press Conference as you attend other meetings with both associations. We will continue to coordinate with PAR to ensure that the events are seamless.

We highly encourage everyone who is attending to utilize RCPA’s 2026 legislative priorities during your legislative visits. As an additional resource, members can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website to locate parking and view maps of the building, and you may use the following resources for coordinating your day at the Capitol:

If you have questions regarding our 2026 Capitol Day, including questions or concerns with scheduling an appointment with a legislator, please contact Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs. We look forward to seeing you at the Capitol!

Message from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS):

Under the current federal administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS) has lifted restrictions that previously prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from carrying out immigration enforcement actions, including arrests, in protected areas such as medical and behavioral health care facilities and social services establishments. It is now possible that U.S. DHS may attempt to conduct immigration enforcement activities in these settings.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, along with the departments of Aging, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Health, has prepared a non-regulatory advisory to provide general information about federal law applicable to immigration enforcement activities at health care and social services facilities. We also advise facility leadership and counsel to develop a written policy and standard operating procedures for what to do if immigration enforcement agents arrive on facility property or seek information about individuals you serve for immigration enforcement reasons.

In developing these policies and procedures, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services advises that you consider:

  • Designating legal and administrative point person(s) by name and phone number who will interact with immigration agents and review legal documents;
  • Planning for how your facility will respond to requests for information, requests to enter non-public spaces to conduct an arrest, and immigration enforcement activity in public spaces;
  • Engaging in advance with stakeholders and necessary resources; and
  • Minimizing disruption to individuals served.

This advisory does not provide legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or accredited representative for legal questions about a specific situation.

Thank you for your service to Pennsylvania.