Flood’s New Committee Assignments Enable Her to Continue Fighting for Children and Mentally Ill

January 12, 2021

HARRISBURG – Prior to taking the oath of office last week to serve as the new state representative for the 138th District, Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton) served as an outside advocate for children and people with mental illnesses. Monday in Harrisburg, she learned she will be in a strong position to continue that advocacy from the inside through her appointment to serve on four House committees.

“Standing up for children is a huge part of who I am as a person,” said Flood, who – prior to serving in the state Legislature – built from the ground up a foundation to enhance the quality of life for brain-injured children and offer support for their families. Flood started Lauren’s Hope Foundation in 2008 in memory of her daughter, Lauren, who was only four years old when she passed away in 2007 as the result of a brain injury sustained at birth.

Flood has been assigned to serve on the House Children and Youth Committee, which handles a broad array of issues that affect Pennsylvanians age 18 and younger.

House committees play an important role in the legislative process. When a bill is introduced, the speaker assigns it to one of the various standing committees. The committee then may hold hearings, propose amendments and decide whether or not the bill is worthy of consideration by the full House of Representatives.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on the House Children and Youth Committee and promote policies to help Pennsylvania kids and their families,” Flood said.

Flood also has been assigned to serve on the House Human Services Committee, which handles, among other things, legislation and proposals aimed at helping Pennsylvanians who struggle with mental illness, addictions and other health conditions.

“I am especially interested in working on policies to expand access to mental health services and addiction recovery programs,” Flood said. “I look forward to hearing the personal stories of Pennsylvanians struggling with mental illness and addiction, and then being a strong advocate for policies that offer help and hope.”

While her service on the Children and Youth Committee will enable Flood to work on policies geared toward younger Pennsylvanians, she also will be able to serve senior citizens through her position on the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. The committee oversees existing policies and programs tailored toward older residents, including those funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. It also considers legislation to alter or expand existing programs for seniors as well as enact new ones.

“Older Pennsylvanians have spent decades serving their families, their communities and our Commonwealth,” Flood said. “I look forward to serving, listening to and speaking up for Pennsylvania senior citizens through my position on the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.”

Flood’s final committee assignment will enable her to serve a large number of Northampton County residents and Pennsylvanians who enjoy the outdoors and the leisure opportunities it provides. She has been assigned to serve on the House Game and Fisheries Committee, which oversees hunting and fishing policies in the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania is blessed to be able to offer its residents a wide variety of hunting, fishing and other outdoor leisure activities,” Flood said. “The Commonwealth needs to advance policies that enable residents to enjoy our outdoor opportunities while also ensuring those activities can be enjoyed by future generations.”

The legislative session, which began last Tuesday, will begin ramping up now that House committees are being formed, legislation is being introduced, hearings will be scheduled and bills will begin coming up for votes.

More information about Flood is available on her website at RepAnnFlood.com or by following her on Facebook at  Facebook.com/RepAnnFlood.

Representative Ann Flood
138th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717-772-9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
repannflood.com