The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 352, which reduces the number of years of possession required for adverse possession actions from 21 to 10 years for property that is less than a half-acre and contains a single-family dwelling.
An individual must begin a quiet title action and provide notice to the respondent. The owner of the property has one year to respond by beginning an action against the possessor.
House Bill 352 became Act 34 of 2018.
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The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 564 which requires schools to develop and administer civics tests to students. The testing will begin in the 2020-2021 school year.
Students must receive a perfect score to receive a certificate of recognition. Students with certain IEPs (Individualized Education Plan) are exempt from this requirement.
The bill was enacted as Act 35 of 2018.
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The Senate voted 47-2 for House Bill 653, which accelerates the foreclosure process for vacant and abandoned property.
The legislation establishes a process to have a property certified as vacant and abandoned before an expedited foreclosure can begin. It reduces delays while maintaining due process rights of property owners.
House Bill 653 became Act 32 of 2018.
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The Senate approved House Bill 1793 by a vote of 38-12. The bill creates the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The commission will plan, coordinate and implement a program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the country.
The bill was signed into law as Act 28 of 2018.
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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 771 which would require boroughs and third-class cities to publish annual financial information approved by their auditor in local newspapers.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government Committee.
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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 772, which would provide for newspaper publication of annual financial information approved by the auditor for the City of Philadelphia.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government Committee on June 6.
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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 773 which would require incorporated towns to publish annual financial information in their local newspaper.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government Committee.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 922, which would establish the “Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.”
Under the bill, the program would provide long-acting non-narcotic medication combined with comprehensive substance abuse treatment to criminal defendants in clinically appropriate cases.
The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on June 8.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 947, which would increase the dollar value threshold above which the public advertisement of bids is required for the sale of personal property.
Under the legislation, the threshold would be increased from $1,000 to $2,000 in boroughs and third-class cities.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government committee on June 8.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 948, which would increase the dollar value threshold above which the public advertisement of bids is required for the sale of personal property from $1,000 to $2,000 in first-class cities.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government Committee.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 949, which would increase the dollar value threshold above which the public advertisement of bids is required for the sale of personal property from $1,000 to $2,000 in incorporated towns.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government Committee.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1003, which would require that licensed ambulance companies dispatched to provide emergency services be reasonably reimbursed – even if service didn’t include emergency transportation.
Under the bill, insurance plans would no longer be able to refuse payment if the enrollee is not, or refused to be, transported to a hospital.
The bill was referred to the House Insurance Committee on June 8.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1005, which would update and consolidate the County Code and amend second class A counties into the County Code.
The bill was referred to the House Local Government Committee on June 4.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1037, which repeals the Civil Service Act and transfers many of the duties previously performed by the Civil Service Commission to the Office of Administration.
This transfer includes overseeing all merit system employment and maintaining eligible employment lists, assuring compliance with Civil Service rules, and performing investigations.
Senate Bill 1037 was enacted as Act 71 of 2018.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1127, which would allow the state Attorney General to apply for an order with the Superior Court to authorize law enforcement officers to intercept communications to compile criminal evidence.
The legislation would also provide for grading of offenses for fraud cases involving the unlawful use of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and for restitution to be paid in these cases.
The bill was referred to the House Judiciary committee on June 8.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1142, which establishes the “Safe2Say” program to allow individuals to anonymously report threats or potential threats in schools.
The program is not intended to replace 911 services, nor is it meant to be used as a tool for discipline or law enforcement. The purpose is to provide increased communications between law enforcement, school districts and organizations.
The bill also shields people working for the program from producing a record without a court order.
Senate Bill 1142 was enacted as Act 44 of 2018.