March 23, 2018 - Senator DiSanto

In this Edition:

Senate Approves Bipartisan Crime Victims Package
Updated Transportation Plan for Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland Counties
Upcoming Citizen Advisory Committee Meetings
Legislative Prayer Breakfast April 17
Save on Your Electric Bill
Community Calendar
Bills Sent to Governor’s Desk
Senate Approves Lieutenant Governor Reform Legislation
Other Bills Approved by the Senate and sent to the House
Committee Roundup
Next Week

Senate Approves Bipartisan Crime Victims Package

Senator DiSanto discusses Senate Bill 1011, which he is co-sponsoring, to amend the state Constitution to create a crime victims “Bill of Rights.”

The Senate approved a package of bills strengthening protections for victims of domestic violence on Wednesday. Six of the bills strengthen and reform Pennsylvania’s domestic violence laws, offer greater protections to victims of domestic violence and their children, and hold abusers accountable.

The seventh bill would establish a crime victims’ bill of rights in the Pennsylvania Constitution to protect and expand the rights of victims of violent crime.

Senate Bill 313 makes it easier for domestic violence victims to remove the name of an abuser from a shared telephone plan.

Senate Bill 449 allows Magisterial District Judges to use a risk assessment tool when determining bail in domestic violence cases.

Senate Bill 500 ensures that law enforcement protection is available to a victim before or while PFA orders are being served.

Senate Bill 501 removes third-party safekeeping as an option for a domestic violence defendant ordered by the court to relinquish firearms.

Senate Bill 502 makes it easier for the court to extend a PFA order when an abuser is released from custody.

Senate Bill 919 which allows domestic violence victims who live in public housing to be relocated to another unit.

Senate Bill 1011 amends the state Constitution to create a crime victims “Bill of Rights.” I am co-sponsoring this bill.

Senate Bill 449 now goes to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law. The other six bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Updated Transportation Plan for Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland Counties

The long-term Regional Transportation Plan for Dauphin, Perry and Cumberland counties is being updated, and your input is wanted.

The purpose of the plan is to document the current status of transportation projects and programs, identify long-term needs, and recommend projects to minimize traffic congestion and maintain safety.

The project is being overseen by the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study. A draft of the plan is expected to be available online for review and comment sometime this spring.

Upcoming Citizen Advisory Committee Meetings

In order to share information and have a dialogue with my constituents interested in specific topics, I have established several citizen advisory committees: Agriculture, Small Business, Sportsmen/women, and Veterans.

The next meetings are scheduled for the evening of Thursday, April 12 in Duncannon. For more details, sign up on my website or call 717-787-6801.

Legislative Prayer Breakfast April 17

I’m honored to be one of the co-chairs of the 2018 Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast, scheduled for April 17 at the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill.

This year’s theme is “Ambassadors of Reconciliation.” Click on the invitation above for more information.

Save on Your Electric Bill

PPL Electric Utilities wants to help you save money. The company offers a wide range of energy efficiency programs – like appliance recycling, discounted LED bulbs at participating retailers, and rebates on energy-efficient HVAC equipment. Visit savewithppl.com for more information on PPL Electric Utilities’ programs for homes and businesses, as well as energy-saving tips.

Community Calendar

Consider upcoming performances and events at Gamut Theatre.

Jump Street receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and runs a number of local art programs. Their 17th Annual Derby Day is Saturday, May 5th, 2018.

Bills Sent to Governor’s Desk

Senate Bill 135 would permit the use of a leashed tracking dog to track white-tailed deer to recover an animal which has been legally harvested or wounded.

Senate Bill 449 allows Magisterial District Judges to use a risk assessment tool when determining bail in domestic violence cases.

House Bill 1845 designates an Indiana County bridge as the First Lieutenant Theodore P. Pytash Bridge.

Senate Approves Lieutenant Governor Reform Legislation

The Senate passed bipartisan legislation on Tuesday to reform the way the Lieutenant Governor is elected in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 761 would amend the state Constitution to allow gubernatorial candidates to select their running mate subsequent to the primary election, which is a process similar to how presidential candidates currently select their vice presidential running mates.

The earliest the process could go into effect is 2022, since the Constitution requires that amendments be approved in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then approved by voter referendum. If the Constitutional amendment is approved, Pennsylvania would join 13 other states that allow gubernatorial candidates to pick a running mate for Lieutenant Governor.

Other Bills Approved by the Senate and sent to the House

Senate Bill 792 repeals and replaces the Fertilizer Act. I voted against this bill because it imposes excessive new regulatory requirements over commercial and residential fertilizer applications and will likely lead to higher costs for consumers.

Senate Bill 1002 renames bridges.

Committee Roundup

Appropriations

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved five bills on Monday.

House Bill 595 specifically provides for the types of complaints that can be filed with the Bureau of Consumer Protection regarding planned communities, cooperatives and condominiums.

Senate Bill 748 establishes notice guidelines regarding the proposed closure of state prisons.

Senate Bill 761 amends the state Constitution to allow gubernatorial candidates to select their Lieutenant Governor running mate.

Senate Bill 1011 amends the state Constitution to create a crime victims’ “Bill of Rights.”

House Bill 1952 addresses a state Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that impacts Pennsylvania’s sexual offender registration act.

The Appropriations Committee approved two bills on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 501 requires a domestic violence defendant who is ordered by the court to relinquish firearms to surrender the weapons to law enforcement or a licensed dealer. (Sponsored by Sen. Tom Killion, R-9)

Senate Bill 919 allows a tenant of a housing authority unit, who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, to be relocated to another unit.

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a joint public hearing Tuesday to address safety and management issues of pipeline operations in Pennsylvania.

Hearing Video & Written Testimony

Finance

The Senate Finance Committee approved three bills on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 390 amends the state Constitution to extend the state’s property tax exemption program for disabled veterans to the surviving spouse of a soldier killed in action.

Senate Bill 765 establishes a sales tax “holiday” for the purchase of emergency preparedness equipment.

House Bill 2017 amends the Tax Reform Code, providing for definitions in corporate net income tax.

Game & Fisheries

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee held a public hearing Wednesday on the annual reports from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Hearing Video & Agenda

Health & Human Services

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved four bills on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 576 defines the difference between an inducement for a patient to participate in a cancer clinical trial and the reimbursement of expenses for participating in a clinical trial.

Senate Bill 1087 establishes a joint commission on the child-welfare system.

House Bill 1233 establishes a new standard for assisted outpatient treatment for seriously mentally ill individuals.

House Bill 1869 establishes a committee to review maternal deaths and develop strategies for the prevention of maternal deaths.

On Monday, the committee held a public hearing on the nominations of Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Teresa Miller, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Acting Secretary Jennifer Smith and Department of Health Acting Secretary Rachel Levine.

Hearing Video & Written Testimony

Judiciary

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved 12 bills on Monday.

House Bill 149 provides for the unlawful use of an audio or video recording device in court.

House Bill 324 provides protections for retirement plan benefits due to pension de-risking.

Senate Bill 357 provides for the offense of Aggravated Assault by a Person in Custody if the individual tries to cause another person to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, saliva, urine or feces by throwing, tossing, spitting or expelling such fluid or material.

Senate Bill 480 addresses animal cruelty in a domestic violence situation.

Senate Bill 501 requires a domestic violence defendant who is ordered by the court to relinquish firearms to surrender the weapons to law enforcement or a third-party dealer. (Sponsored by Sen. Tom Killion, R-9).

Senate Bill 502 allows courts to extend an existing PFA order or issue a new order in certain circumstances.

Senate Bill 652 enhances the penalties for those who criminally trespass on “critical infrastructure facilities.”

Senate Bill 915 extends the deadline for filing a post-conviction relief action.

Senate Bill 916 updates the DNA testing law.

Senate Bill 1070 creates a County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee.

Senate Bill 1071 streamlines the process for placement in State Intermediate Punishment.

Senate Bill 1072 revises sentencing laws.

On Monday, the committee held a joint hearing with the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice to discuss criminal justice issues.

Hearing Video & Agenda

Local Government

The Senate Local Government Committee approved Senate Bill 1005 on Tuesday. The bill makes numerous changes to the County Code.

Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved four measures on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 239 amends the state Constitution to allow for an expansion of the Property Tax Exemption Program for Disabled Veterans.

Senate Resolution 260 extends the term of the Senate Resolution 6 Commission from June 30 to November 30, 2018.

Senate Bill 1021 provides a limited-time opportunity for certain amputee or paralyzed veterans to apply for the state’s Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension.

Senate Bill 1041 directs the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create logos to promote veteran-owned and disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Next Week

The Senate returns to voting session Monday at 1 p.m. You can watch session live at PASenateGOP.com.