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March 18, 2010

Senator John Pippy E-News
Pennsylvania Senate News Brief

Senate Approves Bill to Strengthen Prosecution of Child Sex Offenders

Legislation that would give the Attorney General stronger tools to prosecute child sexual abuse cases that cross county or state lines was approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

Preview

APRIL 12: SENATE COST-CUTTING COMMISSION HEARING

A special bipartisan commission created to identify additional cost-saving measures in state government continues its series of public hearings on Monday, April 12.

The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, chaired by Sen. David Argall (Schuylkill), is made up of 10 appointees from the private and public sectors to target and eliminate unnecessary government spending.   The commission's report to the full Senate is due on June 30.

APRIL 13: PUBLIC HEARINGS ON DCNR SECRETARY, ELECTRIC RATES

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (Venango), will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 13 to consider the nomination of Acting Secretary John Quigley as Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Also on April 13, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, chaired by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (Bucks), will hold a public hearing on electric rates.

In addition, the Senate Law and Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. John Pippy (Allegheny), will hold two joint hearings with the House Liquor Control Committee on April 13 and 14 on beer raids in Philadelphia and Liquor Control Board issues.

Review

Senate Approves Community-Based Health Care Clinics Program  

The Senate unanimously approved legislation March 24 to further advance discussion on establishing an initiative to help develop and expand community-based health care clinics that provide "medical homes" for the uninsured.

Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (Delaware), establishes the framework for a program under which the growth of community health care clinics would be fostered as a way to provide integrated care to uninsured low-income individuals.

Health clinics provide high-quality and cost-effective health care regardless of patients' insurance status or ability to pay. They also help to reduce the use of costly hospital emergency visits and avoidable hospital admissions.

Senate Erickson noted that the provisions of the federal health care bill that was recently enacted are focused on insurance, not care. Senate Bill 5 seeks to make sure that people get the health care that they need.

For a list of other health care initiatives passed by the Senate, please see In the Spotlight, below.

Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act Passed by Senate

The Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (Lebanon), unanimously passed the Senate on March 23.

Senate Bill 109 would require all paid advertising by state government (i.e. Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches; Attorney General; Auditor General; Lieutenant Governor; and Treasury) to include the statement "Paid for with Pennsylvania Taxpayer Dollars."

Senator Folmer said the intent of the Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act is to educate taxpayers about the millions of tax dollars spent each year on advertising and start the conversation regarding the value of the investment and whether the money could have been spent better elsewhere.  Senate Bill 109 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. For more on Senate reform legislation, please see Fast Facts, below.

Sen. McIlhinney's Military Uniforms Legislation Signed Into Law

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (Bucks) that would prohibit public school officials from discriminating against members of the Armed Forces was signed into law March 22.

Act 13 of 2010 prohibits any principal, superintendent or school official from denying any member of the military entry to school facilities because he or she is wearing a military uniform. The legislation stemmed from several incidents in which military members visiting friends and former teachers were denied access to school grounds due to their military uniforms.

Military members will still be expected to comply with a school's visitor policy, but they could not be denied access because of their uniforms.  Senator McIlhinney introduced the legislation after hearing from several local members of Semper Fi Families, an organization that offers guidance and support to families of those serving in the military.

Senate Votes to Allow colleges to Offer Lower Tuition to Military Personnel

The Senate approved legislation March 23 that would allow colleges to offer lower, in-state tuition rates for online courses to military personnel.

Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (Allegheny), permits a community college, state-related or state-owned institution of higher learning to charge resident tuition rates to active duty military personnel, their spouses and dependents receiving courses or other services through the Internet or other electronic means.

Current law does not allow these institutions to offer the in-state tuition rate to servicemen and women unless they are state residents. Senator Pippy drafted the legislation with input from the State System of Higher Education, which is working to expand their course offerings to military personnel.

Senate Cost Study Commission Hears Ideas From Other States

The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission held its third public hearing on cost reduction efforts on March 22.

Luke Martel, Fiscal Affairs Analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures, testified before the commission on the efforts of states that have implemented or proposed cost-saving measures to close budget gaps.

Chaired by Sen. David Argall (Schuylkill), the 10-member commission includes individuals experienced in the operation of state and local government, along with members who have considerable experience in private business. The goal of the commission is to study state government operations in an effort to propose changes which will reduce costs for Pennsylvania taxpayers. The commission's report to the full Senate is due on June 30.

When asked about cost reductions within the prison system, Martel stated that Ohio has reduced its weekend meal program for state prisoners, eliminating breakfast service, while keeping the nutritional value and daily caloric intake the same, thus creating an additional savings.
Hearing Video/Written Testimony

Senate Approves Bill to Improve Sportsmen Safety

The Senate approved legislation March 23 that would improve sportsmen safety by preventing dangerous offenders of wildlife laws from obtaining a fishing or hunting license in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1200, sponsored by Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman Richard Alloway (Franklin), would enable Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a multi-state effort to ensure that habitual offenders in one state will not be able to commit violations in other states.

The 33-state Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Act would enable Pennsylvania to recognize the revocation of an individual’s hunting, fishing or trapping privileges due to a violation of regulations in any other member's state.

Senate Unanimously Supports Professional Licensure Update

Legislation that would update and improve the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act was unanimously approved by the Senate on March 24.

Senate Bill 990, sponsored by Sen. Mike Waugh (York), amends the statute for clinical social work licenses, marriage and family therapist licenses, and professional counselor licenses, to address ambiguity in the current educational requirements.

Senate Bill 990 also extends to June 30, 2008 the date by which applicants for a marriage and family therapist license or professional counselor license must have successfully completed the required coursework in order to be grandfathered under the current regulations.  The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

In the Spotlight

In addition to Senate Bill 5, the community-based health care clinics program, the Senate has acted on several other key health care initiatives this session:

Act 1 of 2009 -- permits health insurers to withhold payment to providers in the event of a preventable serious adverse event.

Act 2 of 2009 -- extends continuation of group health insurance policies for former employees and dependents, making the option available to approximately 150,000 individuals who work for employers with 2 to 19 employees and who change jobs.

Act 4 of 2009 -- extends insurance to adult dependents up to the age of 30. The largest segment of the uninsured in Pennsylvania -- roughly half -- is young adults age 18 to 34.

In addition, HealthNET PA legislation that would credit volunteer time by health care professionals toward their continuing education requirements was approved by the Senate and awaits further legislative action.  Senate Bill 464, seeks to allow physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, nurses or certified registered nurse practitioners to apply volunteer time served in a community-based health care clinic toward the completion of no more than 20 percent of their mandatory continuing education hours required by their individual licensure boards.

Fast Facts