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Harrisburg HappeningsA report on the Legislative Session from the week of March 25, 2019
I am pleased to send you my Session Wrap Up e-newsletter. This e-newsletter features events and legislative activities during the Session Week of March 25, 2019. If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatorlaughlin.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contact my office, please go to my web page and click the “contact” button. Please do not “reply” directly to this e-mail. Sincerely, Senate Approves Bill to Prevent Child Heatstroke Deaths in VehiclesThe Senate approved legislation on Monday that provides immunity to individuals who rescue children who have been left unattended in hot cars. Senate Bill 49 extends “Good Samaritan” civil liability to a person who — in an effort to save a child — breaks a window or forcibly enters a parked, locked vehicle. The bill is named in memory of the 49 children who died last year from vehicular heatstroke. The law would bring Pennsylvania in line with 19 other states that give immunity to bystanders who help children locked in hot vehicles. The Senate approved five other bills this week. House Bill 18 authorizes the release of Project 70 restrictions on lands owned by the Borough of Topton, Berks County, in exchange for the imposition of the restrictions on other lands to be acquired by the borough. The bill also provides for land conveyances in Chester, Lehigh and Monroe counties. The bill returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence on Senate amendments. Senate Bill 86 amends the Newborn Protection Act to add urgent care centers to the list of “safe havens” where a parent may surrender a newborn. Senate Bill 127 reauthorizes Pennsylvania’s 911 Law, which is set to expire on June 30, 2019. Senate Bill 115 addresses CPR instruction in grades 9-12. Senate Bill 298 transfers “Stolen Valor” fines to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund. Committee RoundupAppropriations The Senate Appropriations Committee approved four bills on Monday. Senate Bill 115 integrates CPR instruction into existing curriculum for grades 9-12. Senate Bill 127 reauthorizes Pennsylvania’s 911 Law. Senate Bill 298 transfers “Stolen Valor” fines to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund. Senate Bill 372 updates the state History Code. Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee approved three bills on Wednesday. Senate Bill 25 modernizes the Professional Nursing Law for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Senate Bill 112 limits prescriptions for a controlled substance containing an opioid to seven days unless there is a medical emergency that puts the patients’ health or safety at risk. Senate Bill 217 removes Philadelphia’s exemption from the Assessors Certification Act of 1992. Finance The Senate Finance Committee approved two bills on Wednesday. Senate Bill 83 exempts volunteer fire companies from paying sales tax on food and beverages sold for fundraising efforts. Senate Bill 471 establishes a sales and use tax exemption for certain equipment purchased by data centers and their tenants. Judiciary The Senate Judiciary Committee approved nine bills on Wednesday. Senate Bill 123 limits parole re-application for sexually violent offenders. Senate Bill 149 amends the state Constitution to create a crime victims’ “Bill of Rights.” Since the measure is a Constitutional amendment it must be approved by the Senate and House during two sessions before it can go to the voters. It was approved during the 2017-18 Legislative Session as Senate Bill 1011. Senate Bill 337 establishes sextortion as a specific criminal offense with consequences comparable to other sexual offenses. Senate Bill 396 prohibits the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and alternative nicotine products to minors. Senate Bill 399 provides for a comprehensive bill of rights for survivors of sexual assault. Senate Bill 425 amends Pennsylvania’s Crime Victims Act to allow victims to attend the entirety of criminal trials. Senate Bill 431 shields rape victims from irrelevant cross examination. Senate Bill 469 addresses testimony by those with intellectual disabilities or autism. Senate Bill 479 expands the Tender Years Exception for out-of-court statements to include additional serious sexual offenses. Local Government The Senate Local Government Committee approved five bills on Tuesday. Senate Bill 110 amends the Home Rule Law. House Bill 264 adds fiscal procedures for the collection of monies by municipal authorities. House Bill 275 changes the name of the “Early Intervention Program” under the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act to the “Strategic Management Planning Program.” Senate Bill 316 allows newly elected Second Class Township Supervisors to attend conferences, institutes, schools and conventions prior to officially taking office. Senate Bill 317 amends the Second Class Township Code regarding mandatory annual budget requirements. Transportation The Senate Transportation Committee approved four bills on Wednesday. Senate Bill 109 requires passengers of a vehicle to render aid to anyone injured in an accident. Senate Bill 338 increases the allowable width for farm equipment on roads. Senate Bill 397 designates the interchange of the Mon-Fayette Expressway, Pennsylvania Route 43 and U.S. Route 119 in Fayette County as the Senator Richard A. Kasunic Interchange. Senate Bill 441 designates the State Route 2087 bridge over the East Branch Codorus Creek in York County as the Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle and Tosca Memorial Bridge. Urban Affairs & Housing The Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee approved three bills on Wednesday. Senate Bill 30 creates a state housing tax credit. Senate Bill 174 provides for the tax sale of abandoned properties. Senate Bill 309 creates First-time Homebuyers Savings Accounts. |
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