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Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
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The Senate voted 48-1 in favor of Senate Bill 820, which would allow Pennsylvanians to stop receiving political robo-calls. In 1996, Pennsylvania created a Do-Not-Call List for commercial telemarketers. Senate Bill 820 would establish a separate Do-Not-Call List for political robo-calls. As with the existing Do-Not Call List, the Attorney General would be responsible for maintaining the list. Under the bill, the Do-Not-Call List for political robo-calls would be active by October 15, 2008, in time for this fall's election. It would be illegal for any political candidate or organization to make an automated political call to any resident that signs up to be on the list. Offenders would be subject to penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Senate Bill 820 does not ban live political calls. Candidates and political organizations will still be able to contact all voters by telephone as long as they have a real person making the call. The bill will now go to the House.
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By a vote of 41-8, the Senate passed a bill that would modernize local tax collections, adding efficiency and consolidation. Senate Bill 1063 essentially reduces the number of local tax collectors from 500 to 66 (one for each county.) In amendments offered in the Appropriations Committee, language mandating that business be allowed to offset losses from one business against profits of another was stricken fearing adverse economic impact on municipalities Language was also added stating that income taxes received from employers, taxpayers or other tax collection districts will be distributed based on the information submitted by the employers, taxpayers or tax collection districts. The bill now goes to the House.
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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 232, which would make it easier for ex-offenders to clear summary offenses from their criminal record. Under current law, a record can only be expunged when an ex-offender turns 70 or dies. Senate Bill 232 would enable someone with a summary offense on their record to petition their county court to have the record cleared of that offense if they have gone five years with no arrests or convictions. In the original bill language would have also permitted non-violent ex-offenders convicted of second- and third-degree misdemeanors to also have their records expunged, The bill is now in the House.
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The Senate passed Senate Bill 1107 by a 49-0 vote. The legislation would prohibit any Pennsylvania court from modifying or amending an existing custody order or entering a new order that changes the custody order of a child whose parent is a member of the armed forces while that person is deployed upon the filing of such a motion. The legislation says that the court could enter a temporary custody order if there is clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child. The bill is now in the House.
* * * The Senate passed Senate Bill1 269 by a 45-4 vote. The legislation would define the confidentiality and non-incrimination rights of juvenile offenders in juvenile proceedings Under the legislation, assessments and screenings may be court ordered or conducted by juvenile justice personnel for the purposes of evaluating the psychological, mental health, mental retardation, drug/alcohol dependency or co-occurring disorders of the youth. Currently, there is no clear direction concerning whether statements made during assessments and screenings are admissible as evidence in juvenile proceedings. The bill is now in the House.
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