SB 922, PN1438 The legislation amends Title 35 (Health and Welfare – Emergency Management Services) to require childcare and other educational facilities with seven or more children 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.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

SB 979, PN1439 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.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

HB 1423, PN 3386

The legislation amends the Adoption Act to revise or establish various time limitations to facilitate 

the adoption process.  The bill limits the period for revocation of a parent’s consent to an adoption

and also reduces the time a child must be in the home of a prospective adoptive parent prior to a 

birth parent filing a voluntary relinquishment petition.  A 47-3 vote was recorded.