SB 189, PN 178 (McGarrigle) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Act to grant crime victims the right to attend criminal trials unless the court determines that the victim’s testimony would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony in the proceeding. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 439, PN 1587 (Fontana) – This legislation establishes the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities Act. The Act provides standards for carbon monoxide alarms in child care facilities and imposes penalties for failure to comply. Senator Laughlin offered amendment A06939, which requires that carbon monoxide alarms be hardwired to a child care facility’s security system if it has one. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote and the bill went over in its order as amended.
SB 897, PN 1199 (Stefano) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to make technical changes clarifying how and when restitution is owed to crime victims. Senator Boscola offered amendment A07182, which adds a definition for “business entity” and makes other technical changes. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote and the bill went over in its order as amended.
SB 1031, PN 1449 (Laughlin) – This bill amends the Insurance Department Act of 1921 to formalize a system for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to conduct its examination of insurers. Specifically, the bill amends three sections under Article IX – Examinations—Purpose (Section 901), Conduct of Examinations (Section 904), and Examination Reports (Section 905). A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
HB 1952, PN 2820 (Marsico) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), Title 23 (Domestic Relations), and Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to create new laws for registration of sexual offenders, and attempts to eliminate gaps in reporting requirements for persons whose prior requirements may have been invalidated by recent court decisions. Senator Corman offered amendment A07119, which makes registration requirements for various offenders consistent with the dates of decision relating to various enactments of the General Assembly relative to changes in Sex Offender Registration Requirements, and repeals the SORNA provisions from Act 10 of 2018 and reenacts those provisions. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote and the bill went over in its order as amended.
SB 257, PN 1596 (Ward) – Amends the Insurance Company Law establishing the Quality Eye Care for Insured Pennsylvanians Act. Senator Ward offered amendment A06915, which provides for enforcement provisions and permits an insured using a discount program to receive a noncovered service at a nondiscount rate within their network. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote. The bill was agreed to as amended (moving it up on the calendar) and re-referred to Appropriations.
HB 566, PN 1928 (Santora) – This bill amends the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act to allow a contractor to suspended work on a construction project if payment is not received per the terms of their contract. Senator Mensch offered amendment A07141, which provides more flexibility to contractors and subcontractors. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote. The bill was agreed to as amended (moving it up on the calendar).
SB 922, PN 1597 (Langerholc) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety), Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), and Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to establish the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Abuse Treatment Program. Senator Langerholc offered amendment A 07070, which removes language making certain offenders ineligible for court ordered substance abuse assessments. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote. The bill was agreed to as amended (moving it up on the calendar) and re-referred to Appropriations.
SB 1142, PN 1678 (Browne) – This bill would establish the Safe2Say Program to allow individuals to report threats or potential threats in schools anonymously. Senator Browne offered amendment A07154, which provides for legislative intent, adds definitions, further provides for confidentiality and establishes penalties for false reports. The amendment was agreed to via voice vote and the bill went over in its order as amended.