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Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
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The Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 4 by a 48-2 vote. This bill would address sentencing, re-sentencing, incarceration, probation and parole of certain offenders. The legislation would authorize the Sentencing Commission to provide information on re-sentencing decisions as well as parole revocations. The commission would be authorized to adopt guidelines and circulate forms for the courts to consider and use when re-sentencing an offender following revocation of probation, county intermediate punishment or state intermediate punishment and would require the courts to consider these guidelines. Further, the Commission would be responsible for adopting guidelines for parole that must be used by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole as well as any other paroling entity. This bill would also create guidelines for reimbursement for confinement— that would begin three years after the effective date of this act: · DOC required to reimburse counties for reasonable costs of confinement of persons committed to county for work release classified as level 4 or 5 offenders. Program may spend up to $2.5 million. · Counties may require payment from other counties for the incarceration of their prisoners with mutually agreeable rates. This bill was amended to add the language from Senate Bill 397. The legislation would also establish a central or regional booking fee, following the adoption of a countywide Booking Center Plan. In addition to any other fines, penalties, costs or fees authorized by law, a person may be required by the court to pay a central or regional booking fee of no more than $300. The amended bill was sent back to the House.
* * * The Senate unanimously passed an amended version of House Bill 7. This bill would allow for the removal of state prisoners who are seriously or terminally ill for care in a hospital or hospice. Under this legislation, the Department of Corrections (DOC), the prisoner, or anyone acting or appointed to act on their behalf, would have to petition a sentencing court for an order authorizing temporary release of the prisoner for treatment. In making this decision, the court must consider the prisoner’s history of violence. The bill would also allow a victim and any other agency who was involved in the original sentencing an opportunity to voice their opposition. The legislation would make the escape of a prisoner while being treated treating as a contempt of court. The bill is now in the House.
* * * The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 180, which would add the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies to the Department of Military Affairs’ power for arrangement of veterans’ burial details. The bill now goes before the governor. * * * The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would provide for the Highway – Railroad and Highway Bridge Capital Budget Itemization Act of 2008-2009. Senate Bill 1503 would itemize additional state and local bridge projects and ensure that bridges that will be completed by the Department of Transportation as a “critical” need bridge are authorized. The bill now moves to the House.
* * * The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1504, which would provide for the Highway Capital Budget Itemization Act of 2008-2009. Authorization is necessary in order for Motor License Fund proceeds and debt financed monies on highway construction and reconstruction projects throughout the Commonwealth to be undertaken by the Department of Transportation. The bill now moves to the House.
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