School Crime Reports, "Helmets to Hardhats" pass Senate

Senator Robbins' Heat On bill clears committee

Harrisburg - The Senate approved legislation this week to tighten standards for reporting crime in schools and to make it easier for physicians to volunteer at medical clinics, according to Senator Bob Robbins.

Senate Bill 112, approved by the Senate on Monday, requires the chief administrators of public school districts, vocational-technical schools, Intermediate Units, and charter schools to form "memorandums of understanding," or agreements, with local law enforcement. These memorandums, or MOUs, will require schools to immediately notify law enforcement in the event of a crime committed on school property and will outline the emergency response procedures for that district or school.

The legislation includes an additional requirement that school officials submit their violence incident data to their chief of police, who will have the authority to verify the accuracy of the report before it is submitted to the Department of Education.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 72 (The Volunteer Health Services Act), which would allow individuals to practice medicine under a volunteer license if they do so in an approved clinic without pay and do not otherwise practice medicine. The volunteers would not be required to carry medical liability insurance.

The state MCare Act requires that all physicians complete 100 hours of continuing education for license renewal. SB 72 reduces the number of hours for a volunteer physician from 100 hours to 20 hours.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 262, the "Helmets to Hardhats" legislation on Wednesday which would permit the Department of Transportation to waive the driving skill test for a veteran who applies for a commercial driver's license and is a member of the armed forces and was regularly employed in a position in the armed forces requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 365, which would extend the sunset of the senior judge operational support grant program from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2012. The program is intended to defray the costs imposed on counties for facilities and staff used by senior judges assigned to courts of common pleas. Grants are based on the use of judicial chambers, and the utilization of the services of a law clerk and a secretary.

The Senate confirmed Stephen M. Schmerin as Secretary of Labor and Industry, and Estelle B. Richman as Secretary of Public Welfare on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Nora A. Dowd Eisenhower as Secretary of Aging, Dennis C. Wolff as Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Yablonsky as Secretary of Community and Economic Development, James P. Creedon as Secretary of General Services, Dr. Calvin B. Johnson as Secretary of Health, Thomas W. Wolf as Secretary of Revenue, and Allen D. Biehler as Secretary of Transportation.

Committee Roundup

On Wednesday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee today approved legislation introduced by Senator Robbins that would revamp Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Senate Bill 352, known as the Home Energy Assistance in Time of Need, or HEAT ON Act, would make needed changes that would maximize the benefits for eligible low-income households and funds in a timely and expedited fashion, according to Senator Robbins.

Senator Robbins' measure, would set October 1 as the start up date for the program, as opposed to the current system where it usually opens in the beginning of November.

"This would bring Pennsylvania in line with other states that start on October 1," Senator Robbins said. "Furthermore it allows the process to begin earlier and people could receive the benefits of the program in a timely manner as the weather starts to get colder."

Senate Bill 352 would also set into law that those making 150 percent of the poverty level ($30,000 for a family of four) or less are eligible for LIHEAP.

"The increase in eligibility of the federal poverty level is not out of line with the limits set by other states. The truth is some states have limits of 175 percent or even 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level," Senator Robbins said. "With the dramatic increase in energy costs, especially heating oil, this increase is essential to help at-risk Pennsylvanians."

On Tuesday the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee and the Senate Finance Committee held a joint hearing on the Governor's "Fair Share Tax" for his universal health care plan.

The committees heard testimony from a national expert regarding a recent case involving a mandated health benefits program in Maryland. In January 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a decision that invalidated Maryland's program citing that it clashed with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

Todd Anderson, Outside General Counsel for Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) said the Fourth Circuit Court's decision would directly apply to Governor Rendell's tax proposal as it is written in Section 7203 of House Bill 700.

"This judicial ruling makes it clear that employer health plans are governed by federal law, not a patchwork of state and local laws," Anderson said. "RILA believes the Fourth Circuits' decision sends a strong message that bills containing 'fair share' provisions that are under consideration in other states, such as HB 700, are also pre-empted by ERISA."

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322