SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR THE WEEK OF
April 20, 2009

Return to Home Page

            The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 123, also known as the “Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act.”

            The legislation would protect consumers from having spyware deceptively installed on their computers.  Spyware is computer software that is designed to take partial control over the user’s computer, particularly by restricting Internet use, changing computer settings and retrieving personal information like Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and usernames and passwords without the user’s knowledge. 

The bill also would allow district attorneys and the Attorney General to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for violations.  Intentionally installing spyware would be considered a second degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

            Cable software providers, internet service providers and trademark owners would have the authority to seek civil action to recover damages.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would protect consumers by strictly regulating the purchase or exchange of an annuity.

Senate Bill 237 would ensure that insurers who are selling annuities are making sure that the product is suitable for the consumer based upon the consumer’s financial status, tax status, and investment objectives.

The bill is now in the House.

The Senate voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 304, which would eliminate the need for Pennsylvanians to re-register on the “Do Not Call” registry every five years.    

This measure would keep a consumer’s number in Pennsylvania’s “Do Not Call” registry until they asked to be removed.         

In 2002, Pennsylvanians were first given the opportunity to avoid telemarketing calls by registering for the “Do Not Call” list.  More than one million citizens registered in a two-week period that year, and millions more have registered through the past few years.

The bill is now in the House Consumer Affairs Committee.

The Senate voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 464, which would credit volunteer time by health care professionals toward their continuing education requirements.    

The bill would allow physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, or certified registered nurse practitioners to apply volunteer time served in a community-based health care clinic towards the completion of no more than 20 percent of their mandatory continuing education hours required by their individual licensure boards.

This measure is part of the 15-bill HealthNET PA package.         

 # # #

home