Senate of Pennsylvania
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SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR THE WEEK |
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HARRISBURG-- The Senate voted 49-0 to allow school districts to purchase automated external defibrillators. House Bill 996 also requires training and provides for civil immunity for certain defibrillator users. The measure has been returned to the House for concurrence in Senate amendments. **** The "Displaced Homemaker and Single Parent Self-Sufficiency Act" would be created under a proposal approved 49-0 by the Senate this week. Senate Bill 375 authorizes the Department of Education to oversee the maintenance and operation of multipurpose service centers for job counseling; training; educational and job placement services; referrals; financial management services; and out-reach and information services for displaced homemakers and single parents. The bill awaits House action. **** The woman who refused to be denied her civil rights after being ordered to the back of a crowded bus on December 1, 1955, will be honored each year in Pennsylvania on the Monday after February 4. House Bill 407, approved unanimously by the Senate, makes permanent the "Rosa Parks Remembrance Day" in honor of the Montgomery, Alabama woman who is credited as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." The bill has been sent to the Governor. **** Amending the Public School Employees' Retirement Code, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 26, which would change the terms of the legislative members that sit on the boards of the State Employee' Retirement System (SERS) and the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). This change eliminates the gap that occurs in the seating of these members between sine die and the beginning of the next legislative session. House Bill 26 now goes to the House for consideration. **** In order to protect veterans' graves, the senate unanimously passed House Bill 328, which would make selling or attempting to sell a veteran's grave marker a second degree misdemeanor offense. Those found guilty could receive a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or a prison term of up to two years. The bill was passed by the House and now awaits the governor's signature. -- LEGISLATIVE NOTEBOOK -- -- The Senate approved, 49-0, House Bill 157, which re-authorizes the state's Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The 15-member committee is charged with studying alternative modes of travel in conjunction with existing transportation systems in the Commonwealth. Language in the measure was part of an omnibus transportation bill vetoed by the governor last session. The bill has been returned to the House for further consideration. -- The Senate unanimously passed legislation which would allow counties to donate real property for a housing or community development purpose, aiding the Acquisition, Demolition and Disposition (ADD) Program. Senate Bill 597 now goes to the House for consideration. -- The Senate voted 49-0 to permanently designate December 15, as "Bill of Rights Day" in the Commonwealth . Senate Bill 230 has been forwarded to the House for consideration. -- By a vote of 49-0, the Senate approved Senate Bill 607 which allows the duties of the clerk of election and voting machine operators to be performed by two individuals. Each working one-half of election day, and each receiving one-half the rate of compensation. The bill has been sent to the House. -- The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 82, which would enable judges to sentence people to up to 90 days of community service for littering (6501 of Crimes Code). Currently, judges cannot issue community service sentences to first-time offenders. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. – Under House Bill 41, which unanimously passed the Senate, a person could be charged for assault if they knowingly attempt to conceal a hypodermic needle that penetrates a law enforcement officer during a search or arrest. The bill now returns to the House for consideration. – By a 49-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 626, which alters the make-up and location of meetings for the Commission for the Delaware River. The bill now goes to the House. |