Senate Resolution 328 (Fumo) extends congratulations on the 275^th anniversary of the founding of Old St. Joseph's Church in Philadelphia.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Executive Session 

Mary Esther V. Van Shura – Pennsylvania Council on Aging.  Confirmed:  50-0. 

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 

Senate Bill 472 (Robbins) would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to establish statutorily the Science Technology Partnership Program, which is commonly referred to as the Science in Motion Program.  Under the provisions of the bill, a higher education institution could form a science technology partnership with schools or school districts and could subcontract with a nonprofit organization to implement the partnership agreement.  A partnership must include a minimum of three public schools or school districts.  The purpose of the Science Technology Partnership Program is to improve science education in schools that are members of a science technology partnership.  The program would make scientific or technical equipment available to students, augment the existing science curriculum, and provide professional development opportunities to science educators.  The bill also provides for the powers and duties of the Department of Education and establishes a state grant program for higher education institutions that are members of science technology partnerships.  The Secretary of Education would be required to report annually on the program to the Senate and House Education Committees.  Passed:  50-0. 

Senate Bill 1116 (Corman) would amend the Telemarketer Registration Act to require that a listing on the do-not-call list be maintained until a telephone number is no longer valid or until a subscriber requests to have his or her name removed from the list.  Under current law, the Office of Attorney General is required to maintain the listing for a minimum of five years from the date of enrollment.  Passed:  50-0. 

Senate Bill 1277 (Robbins) would amend the Public School Code to expand the definition of "applicant" for the purposes of the alternative education grant program to include a charter school that provides an alternative education within or to a chartering school district as the central mission of its charter.  Passed:  30-20. 

Senate Bill 1281 (Pippy) would amend the Public School Code to clarify that when a child lives outside of Pennsylvania as a result of one or both parents being called or ordered to active military duty, other than active duty training, the child would continue to be considered a resident of the school district that was the child's resident school district immediately prior to the parent being stationed outside of Pennsylvania, provided that the parent maintains the residence.  Passed:  50-0.

Senate Resolution 329 (Washington) honors Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority by designating May 13, 2008 as "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Day" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 330 (Fumo) congratulates Girard College alumni, trustees, administrators, faculty and students on the 160^th anniversary of the founding of the college.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 331 (Tomlinson) designates May 17, 2008 as "Child Passenger Safety Day" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

House Bill 872 (Cappelli) would designate the bridge carrying State Route 1017, known as Lycoming Creek Road, over Bottle Run, Old Lycoming Township, Lycoming County as the John Gross Memorial Bridge.  The bill would also re-designate the bridge on State Route 36 in the Borough of Mahaffey, Clearfield County as the PFC Melvin L. Brown Memorial Bridge.  Concurrence in House Amendments to Senate Amendments:  50-0. 

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 

Senate Bill 615 (Greenleaf) would create the Bail Bond Enforcement Agent Law.  The measure would prohibit anyone from representing himself as, or acting in the capacity of, a bail bond enforcement agent in the Commonwealth unless the person has met the requirements of the act.  In order to be licensed as a bail bond enforcement agent, an applicant would have to meet the requirements of and complete the training under the Lethal Weapons Training Act.  An applicant for a bail bond enforcement agent license would apply to the court of common pleas of the county in which the applicant's principal place of business is located.  In addition to any other information or fees required by the court, the applicant would also have to provide certification that the requirements under the Lethal Weapons Training Act have been met.  A license would be valid for five years unless suspended or revoked for cause by the court.  A license could not be issued to any person who has been convicted of a felony or whose license has been previously revoked in Pennsylvania or another location because of the conviction of any crime.  A bail bond enforcement agent who enters into a municipality in pursuit of and for the purpose of capturing a suspect would be required to notify the chief of police of the municipality.  If the municipality does not have a police department, notification would be made to the Pennsylvania State Police.  If the bail bond enforcement agent is not a Commonwealth resident, the agent must be licensed in his home state under license requirements that are substantially the same as those required under the act.  A court of common pleas could impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 on a person who violates the provisions of the act.  Any bail bond enforcement agent who wrongfully causes damage to any person or property would be liable for the damages and could be liable for punitive damages.  Passed:  50-0. 

Senate Bill 1093 (Orie) would amend the Municipal Police Pension Law as amended by Act 30 of 2002 to further provide for the applicability of the survivor benefit provisions.  Specifically, the bill would amend Section 1 (a) (4) to provide that the surviving spouse of a former member of the police force who, prior to April 18, 2002, retired on pension and died subsequent to retirement or who after April 16, 2002 retires on pension and dies subsequent to retirement would be eligible to receive lifetime survivor benefits of at least fifty percent of the pension the member was receiving.  In addition, the bill declares and affirms that survivor benefits shall be payable to the surviving spouse or dependent child, as applicable, regardless of whether the member retired or died on, before or after April 17, 2002, provided that the surviving spouse was not remarried on April 17, 2002.  The legislation would apply retroactively to April 17, 2002.  Passed:  50-0. 

Senate Resolution 321 (Brubaker) urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact S.70 of 2007, restoring the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 327 (Baker) observes the week of May 18 through 24, 2008 as "Emergency Medical Services Week" in Pennsylvania and recognizes May 21, 2008 as "Emergency Medical Services Day for Children" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 332 (Earll) recognizes the week of May 10 through 18, 2008 as "National Tourism Week" and May 14 as "Tourism Day" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 333 (Orie) remembers the sacrifices of the brave men and women in our armed forces as Memorial Day approaches.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 334 (Dinniman) commends the 156 local YMCAs for providing outstanding community services and recognizing the month of May 2008 as "YMCA Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 335 (Dinniman) commemorates the 60^th anniversary of the birth of Israel.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 336 (Robbins) honors the life of Bradley Paul Holmes and extends condolences on the loss of his life while responding to a fire as a member of the crew of Pine Township's Engine Company No. 85.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

House Bill 775 (Fairchild) would require officials in first class counties to procure and place markers and United States flags on the graves of all deceased county residents who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine during World War II or any organization officially connected therewith and whose separation from the service was honorable.  The legislation would also permit the markers to be made of aluminum or other suitable material.  Under current law, the markers and flags are only required to be placed on the graves of veterans who served during war or armed conflict.  Passed:  50-0. 

House Bill 776 (Fairchild) would amend the County Code to require county commissioners to procure and place markers and United States flags on the graves of all deceased county residents who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine during World War II or any organization officially connected therewith and whose separation from the service was honorable.  The legislation would also permit the markers to be made of aluminum or other suitable material.  Under current law, the markers and flags are only required to be placed on the graves of veterans who served during war or armed conflict.  Passed:  50-0.