Senate Judiciary Committee 12/15/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday March 16, 2010 and reported the following four measures to the Floor by a unanimous 14-0 vote.  SB 707 was tabled by an 8-6 vote of the 14 member committee.

As Committed

SB 1198 PN 1603 (Greenleaf) This bill amends Title 61 (Penal and Correctional Institutions) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes establishing the Safe Community Reentry program to reduce recidivism and ensure the successful reentry of offenders into the community.

SB 1238 PN 1713 (Greenleaf) This bill provides for County Jail Oversight Boards in counties of the second class and counties that adopted home rule charters.

SR 256 PN 1722 (Ward) This resolution urges the United States Congress to enact H.R. 4542, entitled the “Stopping Criminal Trials for Guantanamo Terrorists Act of 2010.”

As Amended

HB 1720 PN 3373 (Caltagirone) This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes establishing the offense of organized retail theft, defining an organized retail theft enterprise and providing penalties.

Tabled

Senate Judiciary Committee 12/15/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 and voted the following bills to the Floor.

As amended

SB 260 PN 1548  This bill amends Title 18, (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes further providing for the authority to investigate and prosecute offenses related to the sexual abuse of children.   The bill was adopted by a 14-0 vote.

HB 1145 PN 3016   This bill amends  the act of November 22, 1978 (P.L.1166, No.274), further providing for membership on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency by adding the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to the body.  This bill was adopted by a 14-0 vote.

As committed

SB 1145 PN 1522   This bill amends  Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, further providing for the adoption of guidelines for sentencing; and providing for adoption of risk and needs assessment instrument.  This bill was adopted by a 13-1 vote.

Senate Judiciary Committee 07/14/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 and reported the following bills to the Floor by a unanimous 14-0 vote.

As committed

House Bill 39, PN 2058 -  This bill would expand on crimes involving cruelty to animals by establishing summary offenses for debarking, tail docking, surgical birth procedures and the removal of a dewclaw on dogs.

House Bill 222, PN 227 -   The bill authorizes the court to provide for restitution in cases of identity theft.

House Bill 1607, PN 2295 -   The bill consolidates all of the statutes related to Constables under Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

House Bill 1648, PN 2294 -   The bill creates the Inter-branch Commission on Juvenile Justice to investigate the juvenile justice system in Luzerne County following a federal investigation into court practices.

As amended

Senate Judiciary Committee 06/30/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 for the purpose of conducting confirmation hearings on several Gubernatorial judicial nominations requiring the advice and consent of the full Senate.  The nominations considered and reported out of committee by a 14-0 are as follows:

Court of Common Pleas

Robert O. Baldi, Esq., Bucks County

Farley Toothman, Esq., Green County

Kenneth A. Mummah, Esq., Juniata/Perry/ Counties

John H. Pavlock, Esq., McKean County

Roger F. Gordon, Esq., Philadelphia County

Philadelphia Municipal Court

Kenneth J. Walters, Jr. Esq.

Senate Judiciary Committee 06/16/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 and reported the following bills to the floor.

As Committed

SB 919, PN 1110 – (Washington) This bill amends the Children’s Trust Fund Act by increasing the surcharge for marriage licenses to $35 dollars and the surcharge for divorce complaints to $25 dollars.  The bill was reported to the Floor by a 7-6 vote.

SB 920, PN 1111 – (Washington) This bill amends both Title 23 (Domestic Relations) increasing the fee for marriage licenses to $38 dollars.  The bill also amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) by establishing a fee of $25 dollars for divorce and annulment of marriage actions. Funding from the two sources would be used for domestic violence programs. The bill was reported from committee by a 7-6 vote.

SB 949, PN 1141 - (Baker) This bill would establish an 11 member joint legislative, executive and judicial commission empowered to investigate and study problems occurring within the judicial system in Luzerne County, the effect on juvenile justice in particular and to make corrective recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly and the Supreme Court.  The bill was reported from committee by a unanimous 13-0 vote.

As Amended

HB 89, PN 2180 - (Mann) This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) making it a crime to intentionally view child pornography. A first offense would be graded a felony of the third degree with a second and subsequent offense graded a felony of the second degree.  The bill was unanimously approved by a 13-0.

Senate Judiciary Committee 06/03/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 and reported the following measures to the Floor:

As Committed

SB 220 (Greenleaf)   This bill is a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania making several editorial changes to Article IV, Article V and the schedule to Article V, by replacing the term “Justice of the Peace” with “Magisterial District Justice.” The bill was reported out unanimously by a 14-0 vote.

SR 52 (Greenleaf)   This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to study the effects of parental incarceration on the children of incarcerated parents.  The bill was reported out unanimously by a 14-0 vote.

As amended

SB 264 (Costa)     This bill provides that all deeds and conveyances concerning any real property conveyed at sheriff sales shall be recorded within 30 days of the conveyance or sale provided that all costs, assessments and fees related to the conveyance or sale have been met or paid.  The bill was reported out as amended by a unanimous 14-0 vote.

Senate Judiciary Committee 03/24/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on March 24, 2009 and reported the following bills from committee by a unanimous 14- 0  vote with the exception of Senate Bill 628 which was reported with a 12-2 vote.

As Committed

SB 488 (Rafferty) This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses) to provide persons with immunity from prosecution for underage drinking in certain circumstances when that individual is seeking medical attention for another individual by contacting 9-1-1 for medical assistance.

SB 531 (Browne) This bill amends Title 42 (Judicial Code) authorizing the sharing of information and records between agencies related to juveniles who have been alleged or found to be dependent or delinquent.

SB 605 (Waugh) This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses) adding to the definition or robbery as the offense relates to an action occurring on the premises of a financial institution.

SB 628  (White, M.) This bill amends Title 42 (Judicial Code) to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty on a person with mental retardation.  The bill was reported by a 12-2 vote.

As amended

SB 351 (Greenleaf) This bill amends Title 15 (Associations) and Title 54 (Names) to complete the codification of the Nonprofit Corporation Law and to revise laws relating to limited liability partnerships and limited liability companies.           

SB 515 (Greenleaf) This bill amends the drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act by expanding the list of qualified individuals who are authorized to perform certain drug and alcohol assessments.

SB 573 (Corman) This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for the offense of failure to provide identification to law enforcement authorities.  A technical amendment to the bill was offered orally and adopted by the committee.

Senate Judiciary Committee 03/10/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 and reported out the following bills as committed.  With the exception of SB 387, all bills were reported out unanimously by a 14-0 vote.

SB 221 - (Punt) This bill would create the Bail Bond Enforcement Agent Act in Pennsylvania.

SB 366 – (Browne) The bill amends the Judicial Code, relating to the right to bail, making it consistent with the corresponding constitutional provision.

SB 383 – (Orie) The bill amends the Judicial Code to establish problem-solving courts.

SB 387 – (Tartaglione) This legislation further provides for aggravated assault under Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes against persons engaged in public transportation.  The bill was reported out by a 11-3 vote.

SB 391 – (Greenleaf) This bill repeals Act 513 of 1862 relating to certain Children’s Homes in the City of Philadelphia.

SB 432 – (Greenleaf) This bill would establish the Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act.

SB 434 – (Greenleaf) The bill amends the Domestic Relations Code to increase the monetary limits of parental liability for tortuous acts of their children.

SB 436 – (Costa) The bill amends the Judicial Code to clarify the definition of burglary.

Senate Judiciary Committee 02/10/09

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 and reported the following bills:

As Committed (unanimously)

SB 73 - (Greenleaf)  This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes further providing for the offense of weapons or implements for escape and for contraband in correctional institutions, youth development centers and mental hospitals.

SB 112 - (Greenleaf) This bill makes conforming amendments to Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and codifies laws related to prisons, probation and parole into a newly named Title 61 (Prisons and Parole Code) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

SB 125 - (Gordner)   This bill amends the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties; and providing for methamphetamine production.

SB 127 - (Gordner)   This bill amends the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, providing for the offenses of operating a methamphetamine laboratory and illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste.

As Amended (unanimously)

SB 53 - (Greenleaf)  This bill amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes making omnibus amendments related to the Uniform Trust Act, the payment of the federal estate tax, the Uniform Principal and Income Act, the rules governing the death of a party during a divorce proceeding and powers of attorney.

SB 124 - (Gordner)   This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the offense of operation of a of methamphetamine laboratory.

SB 126 - (Gordner)   This bill amends the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, providing for environmental costs associated with the production and manufacture of methamphetamine.