Senator Santarsiero Applauds House Passage of Eating Disorder Legislation, Calls on Senate to Take Up Bill

BUCKS COUNTY – Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today applauded the passage of House Bill 148 by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  The bill, sponsored by Representative Jason Ortitay (R-46) would require schools to annually provide educational information to parents with children in 6th-12th grades about eating disorders and resources to help overcome them.  Senator Santarsiero first introduced the bill in 2013 when he was serving in the House, and is currently the prime sponsor of companion legislation in the Senate.

Sen. Santarsiero applauded the House for passing the measure and committed to working with his Senate colleagues to get the bill enacted.

“We have seen a dramatic rise in eating disorders in children and parents are often caught off guard, discovering the problem only after serios complications,” Sen. Santarsiero said applauding the House for passing the bill. “HB 148, which I originally proposed as HB 1959 in 2013, is identical to my bill in the Senate, SB 623, and would help parents prevent eating disorders in their children, provide the information to recognize the problem sooner and connect with resources for a full recovery.”

The bill would also direct the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to develop a task force, which would develop guidelines for providing parent educational information regarding eating disorders.

“Social media has exacerbated unrealistic ideas about body size and image,” Ortitay said. “About 9% of the Commonwealth’s population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are most likely to start between the ages of 14 and 25. By educating middle and high school students and their parents, I am hopeful those who need help will be identified quickly in order for them to receive the assistance they need to recover.”

Advocates praised the passage of the legislation and the progress that has been made on the issue.

“I am excited to see this legislation finally progressing toward implementation; all efforts to raise awareness and provide education and resources about eating disorders that will ultimately result in saving lives,” said Martha Watson, who lost her daughter to an eating disorder at the age of 21. “Leveraging the school communities to make this information widely available makes sense. Like my family, thousands of families have lost sons and daughters to eating disorders that took hold at young ages. House Bill 148/Senate Bill 623 is vital legislation that will make a difference.”

Emily Rosenberg, a former constituent who helped draft the original bill in 2012, is an advocate and eating disorder survivor. “This legislation is particularly important to me because of my experience with an eating disorder in high school. It was an intrusive, relentless and unreasonable voice in my head, telling me I was never enough. No child is immune to developing an eating disorder, but these bills will significantly decrease the number of children affected. It has been ten years since I began advocating for this bill, and today, Senator Santarsiero’s, Representative Ortitay’s and my dedication, passion and time has paid off. Having passed in the House, I am highly optimistic it will move swiftly through the Senate and be sent to the governor’s desk and signed into law.”

“Adequate education can save years of suffering with an eating disorder,” said Tamie Gangloff, a Lancaster County resident and group facilitator for the National Alliance for Eating Disorders Support. “Research shows that earlier intervention reduces the need for a higher level of care and increases the likelihood of sustained long-term recovery. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders is honored to be a part of the conversation to provide Pennsylvania parents with dependable and trustworthy education on eating disorders.’

HB 148 now goes to the Senate for consideration.

(Senator Steve Santarsiero with Emily Rosenberg (L) and Tamie Gangloff (R) in Harrisburg on Abril 26, 2023.)

Los senadores Santarsiero y Browne anuncian una resolución para la Semana Nacional de Concienciación sobre los Trastornos Alimentarios

HARRISBURG - 3 de febrero de 2020 -State Senadores Steve Santarsiero (D-10) y Pat Browne (R-16) son co-principales patrocinadores de una resolución para reconocer 24 de febrero al 1 de marzo de 2020 como Semana Nacional de Concientización sobre Trastornos de la Alimentación.

"Los trastornos alimentarios se dan en todo el espectro de edades, razas, etnias, sexos y condiciones socioeconómicas, y se ven empañados por malentendidos y conceptos erróneos", afirmó la senadora Santarsiero. "Este problema afecta a más de 30 millones de estadounidenses y ha escapado a nuestra atención durante demasiado tiempo. Espero que esta resolución atraiga esa atención tan necesaria hacia la devastadora realidad y prevalencia de los trastornos alimentarios."

"Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria tienen la tasa de mortalidad más alta de todas las enfermedades mentales y afectan a la vida de personas de todos los orígenes", dijo el senador Browne. "Desgraciadamente, a menudo se pasan por alto los signos y síntomas de los trastornos alimentarios, y los amigos y familiares de quienes los padecen no suelen ser conscientes de lo devastadores que pueden llegar a ser. Los expertos en trastornos alimentarios nos han enseñado que un tratamiento rápido e intensivo mejora significativamente las posibilidades de recuperación. Entendiendo esto, es vital que ayudemos a centrar la atención en los trastornos alimentarios, en cómo identificar los primeros signos de alerta y en qué se puede hacer para ayudar a quienes los padecen a obtener el tratamiento y la ayuda que necesitan. Me complace copatrocinar esta resolución con la senadora Santarsiero para aumentar la concienciación sobre este devastador trastorno."

En 2019, la senadora Santarsiero presentó el proyecto de ley 324 del Senado, que requeriría que las escuelas proporcionen anualmente información educativa sobre trastornos de la alimentación a los padres con hijos de a12º grado. Para anunciar esta legislación, la Senadora Santarsiero organizó una conferencia de prensa en el capitolio con la Secretaria de Salud de Pensilvania, la Dra. Rachel Levine, Joey Julius, ex pateador de fútbol americano de la Universidad Estatal de Pensilvania, e invitados de la Asociación Nacional de Trastornos de la Alimentación (NEDA).

"El objetivo de la Semana Nacional de Concienciación sobre los Trastornos Alimentarios es llamar la atención sobre los trastornos alimentarios y poner recursos vitales en manos de quienes los necesitan. Se estima que más de 500.000 residentes de Pensilvania están luchando actualmente con un trastorno de la alimentación, que son enfermedades mentales graves y potencialmente mortales", dijo Chevese Turner, Jefe de Política y Estrategia de NEDA. "NEDA agradece a los senadores de Pensilvania Browne y Santarsiero su apoyo para llamar la atención sobre esta importante campaña".

Para más información sobre la Resolución del Senado, pulse aquí.

Para ver el discurso de apertura de la conferencia de prensa de 2019 sobre el proyecto de ley 324 del Senado, haga clic aquí.

Para más información sobre el proyecto de ley 324 del Senado, pulse aquí.

Para más información sobre la Asociación Nacional de Trastornos Alimentarios, haga clic aquí.

Sen. Steve Santarsiero representa el 10 º Distrito Senatorial, que incluye: Bedminster Township, Buckingham Township, Chalfont, Doylestown, Doylestown Township, Dublin, East Rockhill Township, Falls Township, Haycock Township, Hilltown Township, Lower Makefield Township, Morrisville, New Britain, New Britain Township, New Hope, Newtown, Newtown Township, Perkasie, Plumstead Township, Sellersville, Silverdale, Solebury Township, Telford, Tullytown, Upper Makefield Township, West Rockhill Township y Yardley.
 

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