HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday approved legislation authored by Rep. Justin Walsh (R-Westmoreland) that would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to give the General Assembly the ability to pass a law creating methods for removal of office for elected municipal officials.
“Voters expect those who they elect to represent them will show up and do their jobs,” Walsh said. “If they can no longer fulfill their duties, it is expected the person would resign.
“Unfortunately, some of my constituents have not been represented fully due to a mayor refusing to attend to his elected responsibilities for more than a year. We need to create a way to remove those from office who don’t do their job.”
House Bill 1444, which was amended in committee, would put a Constitutional amendment before the voters to decide if the General Assembly should be allowed to outline in law for what reasons municipal officials can be removed for office.
If the Constitutional amendment passed, the legislation must include provisions for absenteeism and dereliction of duty. A Constitutional amendment must pass the Legislature in two consecutive sessions before going to the voters for approval.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
