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The Senate unanimously passed legislation that would increase penalties for those convicted of attempting to lure a child under 13-years-old into a vehicle or building.

Under current law, attempted luring of a minor under 18 is a misdemeanor. House Bill 1594 would make the attempt a felony if the child is under 13 regardless of whether the offender was aware of the victim’s age. The change would increase the possible sentence to up to 10 years in prison.

El proyecto de ley pasa ahora al gobernador.

 

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The Senate unanimously passed a bill intended to expand the exemptions to Pennsylvania’s wiretap law that apply to police officers recording their interactions with the public.

Current law extends the exemption only to cameras mounted in a police car. Senate Bill 1168 would extend that exemption to a camera mounted on horses, bicycles, motorcycles or on the officer’s person.

Restrictions, such as recording being prohibited inside a subject’s home, still apply.

El proyecto de ley pasa ahora a la Cámara.

 

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            The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1042, which would hold out-of-state laboratories operating in Pennsylvania to the same standards as in-state laboratories.

Under the bill, the state Department of Health could investigate, regulate and inspect any clinical laboratory. Laboratories could limit or exempt themselves from state inspection through accreditation, certification or licensure.

Those who operate a clinical laboratory without a permit could face a $500 fine and up to one year in jail.

El proyecto de ley pasa ahora al gobernador.

 

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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1131, which would remove all weight restrictions on how potatoes can be packaged for sale.

To help compete with neighboring states, Pennsylvania farmers had requested allowing for the sale of 8-pound bags, which are legal and growing in popularity in other states. The state’s law only allows potatoes to be sold in packages of 3 pounds or less.

Senate Bill 1131 would remove all weight limit requirements.

The bill is now in the governor’s hands.

 

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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1040, which would amend Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidate Statutes to allow insurers to provide proof of insurance cards in solely electronic formats if the insured agrees to it.

The bill would require police officers to accept proof of insurance in an electronic format just as they would in paper format.

El proyecto pasa ahora a la Cámara para su examen.

 

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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 923, legislation that would preserve and expand the Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP).

The MFRAP program gives grants of up to $3,500 to needy Pennsylvania service members who experienced a sudden loss of income as a result of military service; emergency child care needs; natural or manmade disasters resulting in the need for food, shelter and other necessities; or the death or critical illness of a parent, spouse, sibling or child. It is funded by voluntary donations derived largely from Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax refund check-offs, which will automatically expire at the end of 2013.

This bill would extend both the MFRAP tax refund check-off and the MFRAP program itself, which is set to expire on June 30, 2016.

El proyecto pasa ahora a la Cámara para su examen.

 

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The Senate voted 48-0 for House Bill 1425, which would require cosmetology schools to provide a federally compliant licensing process for students.

New minimum requirements went into effect in 2011, but it was later revealed that some states did not meet the revised benchmarks.

Pennsylvania-approved schools that do not meet the changes could lose federal Title IV funding.

The legislation moves to the governor for his consideration.

 

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The Senate voted 48-0 to approve House Bill 1439, which helps farmers avoid building code issues and potentially higher real estate taxes when they erect “high tunnels.”

High tunnels are, essentially, temporary structures that include a frame and are covered with a plastic tarp. The structures help ag producers extend the growing season for some crops, and they give them the ability to create a climate that would not be possible in that area.

House Bill 1439 exempts high tunnels from being assessed as real estate. And, it amends the state construction code by adding “structures used to grow agricultural and horticultural products” to the definition of “agricultural building,” something that is already exempt from provisions of the construction code.

The legislation moves to the governor for his consideration.

 

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            The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1225, which would allow for electronic publication of municipal codes.

The bill would authorize the Local Government Commission to replace printed copies with electronic copies of the Third Class City Code, the First and Second Class Township Codes, the County Code and the Borough Code.

El proyecto de ley pasa ahora al Gobernador para que lo firme.

 

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The Senate on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 607 by a vote of 47-1. The bill is known as the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act.

The bill would require that anyone selling a residential property disclose information on the installation of carbon monoxide detectors on the property disclosure statement. It would also require owners of multi-family buildings to install a carbon monoxide detector in any unit with fossil-fuel burning appliances, fireplaces or an attached garage.

The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.

 

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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 990, which changes laws regarding whom acupuncturists may treat.

The bill would allow acupuncturists to treat anyone without a physician’s diagnosis who, after 60 days, does not show any symptoms of the original condition. Currently, acupuncturists cannot treat anyone still showing symptoms after 60 days. Additionally, the bill would require acupuncturists to maintain $1 million per claim in liability insurance.

This bill now goes to the House for its concurrence.

 

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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1077, which would add railroad materials to the list of restricted materials in the Scrap Metal Theft Protection Act of 2008.

The bill would restrict scrap metal processors and recycling facilities from purchasing railroad property from individuals who do not have proper documentation.

The bill now goes to the House for its concurrence.

 

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