Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

Next week, the Senate is expected to consider Senate Bill 822, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), a constitutional amendment which would change the succession process for the Lieutenant Governor. On Tuesday, the Committee on Conference will hold a meeting to discuss Senate Bill 246, legislation sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) to ban smoking in public places.

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, chaired by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana), will hold a public hearing Tuesday on House Bill 1150, which would require insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for individuals under the age of 21.

SENATORS PUSH TAX CREDIT BILLS TO HELP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES AND EMS

Stressing the need to do more to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and emergency responders, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) and Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) are working to provide tax credits to fire and emergency service volunteers and their employers.

In 2004, a commission was established to make recommendations for improving the delivery of emergency services in Pennsylvania. To date, four of the 23 targeted areas have been addressed.

For details on the tax credit legislation and Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire companies, please see In the Spotlight and Fast Facts, below.
- Sen. Baker
- Sen. Waugh

SEN. EICHELBERGER INTRODUCES 'CHILD RAPIST AND SEXUAL PREDATOR DETECTION ACT'

Legislation aimed at strengthening laws against child rapists and sexual predators was introduced March 18 by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair).

Senate Bill 1313, the Child Rapist and Sexual Predator Detection Act, strengthens reporting requirements for health care providers who discover evidence of sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy in children age 12 or younger. The bill would require health care practitioners to prove that a child is 13 or older by obtaining credible written evidence.

If the child is under the age of 13, reporting to the Child Predator Unit of the Attorney General's Office and the county child service agency would be required. Practitioners who willfully fail to comply could face charges ranging from misdemeanors of a second or third degree to a felony. The health care practitioner could also be held civilly liable for any damages suffered by the child from the continued rape or sexual abuse caused by their failure to report this information.

Senator Eichelberger said: "Some health care providers have found a way to circumvent the current mandatory reporting requirement by failing to report treatment of children under the age of 13. It is illegal in Pennsylvania to have sex with a child age 12 or under. Any girl of this age being given any form of prenatal care is presenting evidence that a felonious sex crime has been committed. Some health care providers are blatantly disregarding the law and exposing children to continued sexual abuse."

Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland) was joined by fellow senators at a March 18 news conference in the state Capitol urging the House State Government Committee to act on his legislation providing for a constitutional amendment banning “lame duck” legislative sessions.

Senator Regola’s legislation eliminating “lame duck” sessions – voting that occurs after a general election and before the start of a new legislative session – was approved by the Senate in June. As a proposed amendment to the state Constitution, Senate Bill 468 must be approved in two separate legislative sessions and by the voters as a referendum.

Senator Regola said: "It all comes down to accountability. The public should be able to hold legislators accountable for the votes they cast before the election, not after. Lame duck sessions have historically been used to skirt accountability. In the past, lame duck sessions have been used to vote on volatile issues such as tax increases, more borrowing or pay raises. If these votes were cast before an election, I doubt the results would be the same."

- Sen. Regola

- Sen. Mike Folmer

- Sen. John Eichelberger

- Sen. Jake Corman

SEN. PILEGGI: STATE SHOULD REPORT PERSONAL INFORMATION BREACHES WITHIN A WEEK

State agencies would be required to report data breaches involving personal information within one week under legislation being introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware).

The senator cited three cases of reported computer thefts that took place August 22, November 13, and December 5 of 2007. In the first two incidents, computers containing the personal information of about 375,000 individuals were stolen from Department of Public Welfare offices in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. In the third incident, a laptop computer issued to a Department of Aging employee was stolen from a private residence. That computer contained the personal information of more than 20,000 individuals.

In the DPW incidents, the public was not notified until three weeks after the thefts occurred. In the third case, the Department of Aging took two weeks to notify the public.

Current law requires only that such notice be made “without unreasonable delay.” Senator Pileggi’s legislation, developed with the Attorney General’s office, would require that breaches be reported to the Attorney General within three business days. It would also authorize the Attorney General to investigate every breach involving state agencies.

Senator Pileggi said: "Unfortunately, state agencies are taking too long to notify people whose personal information has been compromised. Three weeks is an unreasonable delay. Identity theft is a widespread concern, and citizens rightly expect the government to do everything possible to protect their sensitive personal information."

The tax credit package for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel introduced by Senator Baker and Senator Waugh includes:

Senator Baker, who chairs the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said: "Volunteers miss time with their families, experience significant out-of-pocket expenses, and most importantly, risk their lives to keep our communities safe. We need to do everything we can to support them."

Senator Waugh, who serves as co-chair of the Fire and Emergency Services Caucus, believes the tax credits are long overdue saying: "Membership among these volunteer organizations has been declining for years – they need our help now."

PENNSYLVANIA’S VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES

Year nation’s first volunteer fire company established in Pennsylvania: 1736

State with most volunteer fire companies: Pennsylvania
Number of Pennsylvania volunteer fire companies: 2,334
Number of Pennsylvania fire departments with paid firefighters: 23
Number of Pennsylvania volunteer firefighters: 300,000 (1976), 152,000 (1985), 72,000 (2005)

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