SB 60, PN 1391 (Phillips-Hill) – Increases penalties for human trafficking. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 79, PN 1389 (Tartaglione) – This bill amends the Minimum Wage Act to increase the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2022 and prohibit employers from deducting business costs from gratuities paid to employees. This bill also amends overtime exemption language related to executive, administrative and professional workers. A vote of 42-7 was recorded.
HB 227, PN 2925 (Gabler) – This bill amends the Election Code providing for the number of signers required for the office of school director, and further provide for submission of completed election ballots in secret. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
HB 321, PN 1404 (Klunk) – This bill would prohibit the abortion of an unborn child for the reason of a Down syndrome diagnosis or on the basis of sex. A vote of 27-22 was recorded.
SB 902, PN 1315 (Baker) – Requires that a first assistant district attorney that is assuming the role of district attorney must meet the underlying requirements to be district attorney. A vote of 48-0 was recorded.
HB 962, PN 2891 (Rozzi) – Abolishes the statute of limitations criminal charges for sexual abuse of children and extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits to when the victim has turned 55.
- Senator Baker offered amendment A04106 which include gives victims age 18-23 at the time of the abuse until age 30 to commence an action for damages. The amendment was approved by a vote of 48-0.
- Senator Muth offered amendment A03954 which clarifies the penalties for continued failure to report suspected child abuse for mandated reporters. It also increases the penalties from a first degree misdemeanor to a third degree felony. If the child abuse constitutes a felony of the first degree or higher the penalty is increased from a third degree felony to a second degree felony. The amendment removes the statue of limitations for civil claims arising from childhood sexual abuse. The amendment eliminates the criminal and civil statute of limitations for adult survivors of certain sexual offenses. Provides a 2-year civil window for expired civil claims arising certain sexual offenses for adults. Prohibits nondisclosure agreements that prohibits survivors of of certain sexual offenses from being prohibited from discuss survivor may request a provision be included to prohibit circumstances. In no circumstances may an agreement enforcement. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-28.
- Senator Muth also offered amendment A03961 which removes the statue of limitations for civil claims arising from childhood sexual abuse. The amendment eliminates the criminal and civil statute of limitations for adult survivors of certain sexual offenses. Provides a 2-year civil window for expired civil claims arising as a result of childhood sexual abuse and certain sexual offenses for adults. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-28.
- Senator Kearney offered amendment A03953 which provides a two-year window for expired claims arising from childhood sexual abuse. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-28.
The bill went over in its order as amended, then was considered on supplemental calendar. A vote of 48-0 was recorded.
HB 963, PN 1130 (Gregory) – Amends the Pennsylvania Constitution providing for a two-year window reviving claims related to childhood sexual assault. A vote of 42-6 was recorded.
HB 1051, PN 1457 (Stephens) – Enhances the penalties for a mandated reporter who willfully and repeatedly fails to report child abuse. A vote of 47-1 was recorded.
HB 1171, PN 2892 (Toohil) – Prohibits nondisclosure agreements in cases of alleged childhood sexual abuse from banning law enforcement contact. Senator Farnese offered amendment A03972 which provides for the filing of civil actions for childhood sexual abuse anonymously to protect the identity of the victim/complainant or the identity of the parent/guardian of the victim/complainant. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-28 and the bill was approved by a vote of 48-0.
HB 1203, PN 2814 (Ryan) – Amends Title 53 Chapter 56, the Municipal Authorities Act, to require minimum standards for annual audits, takes away a municipality’s right to audit an authority unless the authority fails to submit an annual audit, and allows municipalities to request the Auditor General conduct an audit at the authority’s expense. Senator K. Ward offered amendment A04033 which makes technical corrections to the bill. The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote and the bill went over in its order.
HB 1402, PN 2817 (Nesbit) – Creates the offense of Sexual Extortion. A vote of 48-0 was recorded.