Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs orders expanding protections for disabled

(The Center Square) – Saying he wanted to maintain Pennsylvania as a place where people are respected and loved for who they are, Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday signed a set of executive orders aimed at improving protections for people with disabilities.

His action came on an afternoon the state House was addressing a hefty series of bills, including one sponsored by Allegheny County Rep. Arvind Venkat that would expand the state Board of Pharmacy from five to seven people. It would give the board what Venkat called a deeper pool of knowledge.

One of the orders signed by Shapiro will create a new “Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities” which Shapiro said would have direct access to him. The others direct state agencies to step up efforts to avoid discrimination and update a developmental disabilities council within the state Department of Human Services.

Shapiro said the new commission would advise the administration on on laws, policies and programs that affect ...