HARRISBURG -- The Senate voted unanimously this week to amend Pennsylvania’s Motor Vehicle Code to include a third degree felony charge for any employee of PennDOT who is convicted of issuing a fraudulent or fictitious driver’s license to an individual. House Bill 2164 stipulates that a separate felony charge, carrying up to $15,000 in fines and up to 7 years in jail, would apply for each illegal license issued. The bill also increases the motorcycle license fee from $2 to $5 and provides cyclists an opportunity to take PennDOT's’ Motorcycle Safety Course.

The bill was returned to the House for concurrence in Senate amendments.

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The Senate voted 46-4 to concur in House amendments, as amended, to Senate Bill 955, which requires vaccination of college students who reside in dormitories against meningococcal disease. The law allows exemptions for religious and other reasons as long as the institution provides the student detailed information about the risks of the disease and the availability and effectiveness of the vaccine.

The bill was returned to the House for concurrence in Senate amendments.

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By a unanimous vote, the Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 391, which would establish a new Interstate Commission and state council to supervise and monitor the movement of adult offenders between states. The Interstate Commission may promulgate rules that are binding in member states regarding probationers and parolees; overseeing, supervising and coordinating the movement of offenders; enforcing compliance with compact provisions; and providing dispute resolution between compacting states. Pennsylvania’s annual share for administering the new compact would be $205,000.

The bill now goes to the governor.

The Senate also gave unanimous approval to the following bills:

• Senate Bill 1406, which would create the offense of the "unlawful transmission of electronic mail." Offenses include computer activities such as using a computer or computer network without authority or misusing computer software. The measure also sets various penalties for violators. The bill now goes to the House.
  

• Senate Bill 1243, requiring that at least $4.25 from each hunting license and at least $2 from each antlerless deer license be used solely for habitat improvement. The bill now goes to the House.

• House Bill 2125, which would allow licensed hunters to remove deer from baited areas in Philadelphia or in special regulation areas. The bill also increases the penalty for "safety zone" violations from $200 to up to $500. Repeat offenses would be subject to a fine of between $500 and $1,000. The bill was returned to the House.

• Senate Bill 1164, which makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to solicit for a charity without authorization. Promptly turning over contributions to the charity could serve as defense to prosecution. The bill now goes to the House.

• House Bill 1272, eliminating the current requirement that applicants for a state Barbers’ License submit to a blood test. The bill also eliminates the same requirement for students who are planning to attend a state licensed barber school. The bill will be sent to the governor.

• House Bill 2530, making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The bill was returned to the House for concurrence in Senate amendments

• Senate Bill 1290, which permits members of the Pennsylvania Nation Guard. to drive any authorized state vehicle if it is being used for the purpose of providing security to military facilities and other official sites within the Commonwealth. The bill has been sent to the House.