SB 144, PN 340 (Martin) – This bill would create the Keystone Telepresence Education Grant Program for intermediate units. A vote of 47-0 was recorded.
SB 399, PN 505 (Langerholc) – Amends the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act to establish additional rights for victims of sexual assault. Senator Langerholc offered amendment A0718 which mandates that evidence collected in a sexual assault case be preserved for the duration of the maximum applicable criminal statute of limitations. The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote and the bill went over in its order.
SB 425, PN 392 (Langerholc) – Amends the Crime Victims Act to establish a crime victim’s right to not be excluded from any criminal or juvenile proceeding, with exceptions. A vote of 47-0 was recorded.
SB 431, PN 400 (Langerholc) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to render inadmissible any evidence of specific instances of an alleged victim’s past sexual victimization and allegations of past sexual victimization, with exceptions, and expands the applicability of Pennsylvania’s “Rape Shield” law. A vote of 47-0 was recorded.
SB 469, PN 476 (Laughlin) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to expand the “tender years” hearsay exception to allow admission of out-of-court statements made by people with intellectual disabilities or autism. A vote of 47-0 was recorded.
SB 479, PN 498 (Baker) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to expand the applicability of the “tender years” hearsay exception. A vote of 47-0 was recorded.
The Senate confirmed the following executive nominations by a vote of 47-0:
David W. Stonesifer, State Board of Accountancy (reappointment)
Jodie B. Szlachta, Health Policy Board (new appointment)
Vincent J. DiCenzo Jr., Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (new appointment)
Michael J. Regan Jr., Major General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard (new appointment)
Claudia S. Malone, Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Air National Guard (new appointment)
Jeffrey S. Heasley, Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (new appointment)
Edward S. Little Jr., Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (new appointment)
Michael E. Wegscheider, Brigadier General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (new appointment)
Mark D. McCormack, Major General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (new appointment)
Mark J. Schindler, Major General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (new appointment)
Linda A. Kerns, State Board of Nursing (reappointment)
John D. Ausherman, State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers (new appointment)
Mary E. Kushner, Board of Trustees of Warren State Hospital (reappointment)