Boback Announces Passage of House Bill Using the National Guard to Establish Vaccination Sites

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) announces the bipartisan passage of House Bill 326 from the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on Wednesday, as well as its passage by the House today. House Bill 326 calls on the National Guard to help establish and operate COVID-19 vaccination sites.

“As I have expressed through press conferences, in committee meetings and on the House floor, this is important legislation to the Commonwealth, to be able to provide Pennsylvanians with a vaccination distribution plan with the help of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

“This bill would provide a critical tool for the Commonwealth, allowing a distribution plan to be established, with a report back to the General Assembly in place so that Pennsylvania no longer sits at the bottom of the pack among states in vaccine distribution. With the COVID-19 vaccination program ramping up throughout the state, we have no more time to spare and must have a fortified plan in place to achieve the mission.

“I want to commend Rep. Tim O’Neal for this bipartisan piece of legislation and thank all of the stakeholders involved, to be able to work together to accomplish the work of the people, when Pennsylvanians need us most. I look forward to the passage of this bill in the Senate and anticipate the governor’s signature shortly thereafter,” said Boback.