Monday, May 22, 2017

SB 108, PN 82 (Sabatina) – SB 108 bill amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to prohibit organ transplant organizations from discriminating against patients on the basis of physical, developmental or mental disability.  A vote of 50-0 was recorded.  The legislation was inspired by Paul Corby of Pottsville. Corby, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, was denied a life-preserving heart transplant by the University of Pennsylvania hospital in 2011.

SB 288, PN 274 (Rafferty) – Senate Bill 288 amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by increasing the penalties for offenders of Pennsylvania’s “Steer Clear” Law.  A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

SB 383, PN 373 (White) – This bill would authorize school districts to establish a policy permitting school employees access to firearms on school grounds.  Senator Gordner offered amendment A01362 on behalf of Senator White.  The amendment excludes the information in which school personnel has permission to access firearms from the Right-to-Know Law and prohibits the disclosure of such information at a school board meeting that is open to the public.  The amendment was approved, 35-15, and the bill went over in its order as amended.

SB 510, PN 505 (Reschenthaler) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to establish the offense of threatening a law enforcement officer or sheriff.  Senator Farnese offered amendment A01365, which qualifies that a person may be charged if they have knowledge or has reason to know the other person is an officer.  The amendment was agreed to via voice vote and the bill went over in its order as amended.

SB 523, PN 550 (Greenleaf) – This bill amends The Crime Victims Act to make technical changes related to the consolidation of the Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole into a single agency called the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  Senator Greenleaf offered amendment A01273, which adds that any financial record (as defined in the Right-to-Know Law) which is from or relates to the office will be subject to the Right-to-Know Law.  The amendment was agreed to, 48-2.  Senator Martin offered amendment A01207, which was technical in nature.  The amendment was agreed to, 50-0, and the bill went over in its order as amended.  Later Senator Gordner moved that the Senate reconsider the vote on amendment A01273.  The motion carried and Senator Brooks changed her vote from no to aye, with the final vote being 49-1.  The amendment carried and the bill went over in its order as amended.

The Senate approved the following executive nominations by a vote of 50-0:

Gerald Rader, State Board of Auctioneer Examiners (reappointment)

Patrick McDonnell, Secretary of Environmental Protection (new appointment)

William Harris, State Board of Funeral Directors (reappointment)

Anna Moran, State Board of Medicine (new appointment)

John O’Donnell, DrPH, MSN, CRNA, State Board of Nursing (reappointment)

Bridget Vincent, State Board of Nursing (new appointment)

Gerald Olson, State Board of Optometry (new appointment)

Jeffrey Elliott, State Board of Physical Therapy (reappointment)

Eric Greenberg, State Board of Podiatry (new appointment)