Senate Approves Sex Predator Bill

Local government purchasing bills, veterans' measure clear committees

The Senate passed legislation to better monitor on-line activities of sexual predators and bills to help Pennsylvania's veterans and give local governments more flexibility in purchasing supplies and services clear committees during the Senate session week of September 24, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

Working to crack down on sexual predators who use the internet as a way to prey on victims, the Senate approved Senate Bill 490, a measure co-sponsored by Senator Robbins that would require convicted offenders to register their email addresses and online screen names with the Pennsylvania State Police and the state Board of Probation and Parole.

Currently, sex offenders are required to register their residential addresses, employment and/or student information with authorities.

"The truth is sexual predators are using the Internet as a way to contact young people. Senate Bill 490 will give law enforcement and probation officials the capability to better monitor the activities of those offenders," Senator Robbins said. "We need to enact this legislation to better protect our young people by letting predators know that their online activities and conversations will be subjected to monitoring."

In addition to the requirement that offenders register their information, SB 490 also requires those who change their email addresses and/or instant messaging screen name to report those changes to state authorities within 48 hours.

Committee Actions

The Senate Transportation Committee approved Senate Bill 351, legislation introduced by state Senator Robbins that would help local firefighters in their fundraising efforts.

SB 351 would permit charitable organizations, such as firefighters who collect donations, to fundraise along local roadways, provided local approval had first been granted.

"I would like to thank the Transportation Committee for reporting this important bill," Senator Robbins said. "Several of my local volunteer organizations -- including my local fire department -- have historically held fundraisers along roadways without incident. These types of fundraisers are often successful because they are highly visible to the community. Without such visibility, it is difficult to attract attention for such worthy causes. Ultimately, my legislation would make this issue a local matter."

The Senate Local Government Committee approved a 10-bill package, including a measure introduced by Senator Robbins that would update and increase the threshold for the formal bidding process for local and county governments across the Commonwealth.

Currently, anytime a municipality plans to purchase an item or service costing $10,000 or more, it must go through the bidding process by advertising twice in a newspaper, receiving sealed bids by vendors, and voting at a public meeting on the lowest bid. This legislative package would amend the various local government codes -- including those for counties, cities, townships, boroughs and school districts -- by raising from $10,000 to $25,000 the level at which local governments must go through the bidding process.

In addition to serving as the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1072, which applies to Third Class Cities, Senator Robbins is a co-sponsor of the other bills as well.

"I am very pleased that the Local Government Committee has taken quick action on these bills. These changes are timely and they are necessary. The truth is state law as it stands now places a real burden on municipalities," said Senator Robbins, who also serves as Chairman of the Local Government Commission. "They are unable to make relatively minor purchases without the time and expense of the formal bidding process and that ends up costing the taxpayers."

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved Senate Bill 915, legislation co-sponsored by Senate Robbins, the Committee's Vice Chairman, which is aimed at improving outreach and assistance to veterans throughout Pennsylvania.

The legislation will provide financial assistance to the Veterans Administration accredited service officer programs offered by nationally chartered veteran service organizations including The American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the Disabled American Veterans.

The program will be coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to enhance the availability of veterans' assistance throughout the state, to measure performance and program outcomes, and most importantly, ensure the ongoing monitoring and continual improvement of services to Pennsylvania’s veterans' community.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing on the status of Pennsylvania’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.

The hearing was called to address concerns regarding conflicting statements by the Administration on when the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program would be shut down. The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program is responsible for supporting approximately 250 DEP employees, and serves as the Commonwealth's primary tool to respond to toxic spills and releases affecting local residents.

The Senate is expecting to take up legislation later this year to provide funding for the program. Under the proposal now in the works, $15 million would be transferred to the program for the current fiscal year from existing legislative accounts. Additionally, $40 million annually would be made available for the next three fiscal years from the existing Capital Stock and Franchise Tax.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322