HB 100, PN3430  The legislation creates the “Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Stabilization Act”.  The purpose of this bill is to assure the availability of a comprehensive trauma care system in the Commonwealth.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

HB 349, PN1573  The legislation amends the Urban Redevelopment Law to further define “city” to include any borough with a population large enough for the borough to qualify for a charter as a city, separately from any town, township or other borough under the Third Class City Code.  The bill also allows any borough with a population of 10,000 or more to establish an urban redevelopment authority.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

SB 922, PN1187 The legislation amends Title 35 (Health and Welfare – Emergency Management Services) to require childcare and other educational facilities to have in place an emergency preparedness plan for all hazards.  The bill also requires custodial care facilities to conduct annually at least one disaster response or emergency preparedness plan drill. 

A0568(Mellow): This amendment clarifies that this act only applies to childcare facilities with seven or more children, therefore exempting family day care homes.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.   

SB 979, PN1393  The legislation establishes the Pennsylvania Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act.  The bill incorporates the state’s Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act into the Judicial Code to provide the enabling legislation for the recently adopted constitutional amendment governing testimony of child victims and material witnesses in criminal prosecutions by alternative methods.

A0617(Costa): This is a technical amendment that clarifies existing language in the bill.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

SR 215, PN1429 This resolution provides for a temporary rule of the Senate, which would rule out of order certain amendments to General Appropriation Bills for the fiscal year 2004-2005.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS The following nominees were confirmed by the Senate.  A 50-0 vote was recorded for each.

Michael E. Noyes, Ph.D., Children’s Trust Fund Board
Bradley K. Moss, Esq., Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge