Any potential action on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives resolution for an investigation into Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. will not occur until at least later this month.

State Rep. Jerry Knowles R-Schuylkill, Berks and Carbon, said Tuesday when the House returns in session May 24 he needs to have a discussion with House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre/Mifflin, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin, to “get a handle on how this will proceed.”

Kauffman said in an email Tuesday the resolution authorizes the investigation.

“We currently have no other details, except those contained in the resolution. There is no timetable on consideration of H.R. 99 at this point.”

Knowles and Reps. Joe. Kerwin R-Dauphin-Schuylkill, and Tim Twardzik R-Schuylkill, introduced House Resolution 99 Friday and referred to the Judiciary Committee to “determine whether George F. Halcovage Jr. is liable to impeachment for misbehavior in office.” The committee will report the findings of the investigation to the House of Representatives.

“This is very rare for legislators to ask for the investigation. Unfortunately, under the circumstances we believe it necessary,” the legislators said.

Among other duties, the committee is authorized and empowered to administer oaths and witnesses, take testimony request individuals and papers, documents and other materials, and prepare and file legal documents.

The committee designated the Subcommittee on Courts to among other duties make recommendations to the Judiciary Committee and take testimony, and prepare legal documents.

Cost for the investigation will be paid by the Chief Clerk upon written request approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Bryan Cutler, R- Lancaster, Benninghoff, or the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia/Delaware.

Halcovage has been sued in federal court by four women, all Schuylkill County employees, who have accused him of sexual harassment. Their names are not in the lawsuit, but they are identified as Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4. Other defendants are also named in the suit.

On May 5, Lebanon County Judge Robert Eby ruled Halcovage was ordered to not “abuse, harass, stalk or threaten” two women who asked a judge for protection. The sexual violence protection order, which has other prohibitions, is effective until March 22, 2024. The women are identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. The agreement was entered by agreement of both sides without admission by Halcovage.

A sexual violence protection order is designed to protect the victims of such violence from further abuse and/or intimidation by their abuser, regardless if criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrator, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

Numerous county and state leaders have called for Halcovage to resign. The county’s solicitor’s office and Human Resources office investigated and determined that Halcovage violated three county policies, sexual harassment, conduct and discipline, and physical and verbal abuse. The investigation determined that if Halcovage was an employee he would be suspended and recommended he be terminated.

He stepped down as chairman of the commissioners in June, saying he didn’t want to distract from county business. Barron “Boots” Hetherington was appointed chairman.

Halcovage, a Republican, took office in 2012.