Legislation would allow counties to reopen with guidelines

A bill recently introduced in the state House would allow local county commissioners to reopen businesses during a health emergency if certain criteria are met.

A companion bill also has been introduced in the Senate.

Both bills require commissioners to open in consultation with local health officials. Officials include the county health department or a director of health, or the local emergency management team.

Rep. Frank Farry (R-Langhorne) introduced the House bill.

“Working with Rep. Farry, we drafted this legislation after hearing the countless stories of business owners who are on the verge of losing everything, and from unemployed workers who haven’t received a dime from unemployment,” Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks), who introduced the Senate bill, said. “We have been shut down for months, there is no end in sight. Every reasonable request has been denied, and every piece of legislation that would reopen businesses, even those with bipartisan support, has been vetoed. I have full faith that business owners across Bucks County can operate in a safe manner following CDC guidelines and proper social distancing procedures.”

Reps. Todd Polinchock (R-Chalfont), Meghan Schroeder (R-Warminster), Craig Staats (R-Quakertown), Wendi Thomas (R-Richboro), K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bensalem), and Martina White (R-Philadelphia) also introduced the House bill.