Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed HB 324 and SB 184 into law.
HB 324 – led by Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz – updates the Poultry Technician Licensure Law to allow legal residents to become Certified Poultry Technicians upon completion of a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture training course. This will help more farm workers who are here legally receive the credentials needed to become Certified Poultry Technicians – a critical update that will support the ongoing work to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and protect Pennsylvania agriculture.
“Our Administration has worked aggressively and proactively in response to Hi-Path Avian Influenza, and we have taken steps to communicate directly with our farmers – from our major commercial sites to our Amish community – and encourage them to put biosecurity measures in place,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “By remaining proactive, we’ve helped to avoid the worst so far. This bill will help us address workforce challenges, support biosecurity best practices, and remain vigilant in the face of Avian Influenza as we work to keep protecting Pennsylvania agriculture industry.”
“Avian influenza is an ongoing crisis across our country, and with poultry being the keystone state’s No. 1 animal ag industry, our farmers and poultry businesses must have the people resources available to test poultry flocks as we continue our heightened monitoring for the virus,” said Chris Herr, Executive Vice President of Penn Ag Industries. “This bill will give us the people resources we currently lack as an industry but will offer those who are facing current barriers to becoming certified technicians an option to grow professionally and help us fight this deadly virus. Thank you, Gov. Shapiro, for understanding our industry needs and the many legislators who supported and helped pass this important legislation.”
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