Monday, September 26,
2005
Senate Resolution 160 (Greenleaf) is a
concurrent resolution directing the Joint State
Government Commission to establish a bipartisan task
force, with an advisory committee, to conduct a
comprehensive review of alternative dispute
resolution services within the numerous methods of
conflict resolution available in the Commonwealth.
The task force would: identify relevant best
practices in the delivery of alternative dispute
resolution services and how to improve conflict
resolution in the Commonwealth by incorporating
these practices; develop a plan for educating
citizens of the Commonwealth about conflict
resolution and alternative dispute resolution
services; and, propose legislation, as may be
required, to implement the proposed plan and advance
the use of innovative conflict resolution methods
statewide, not only in the civil courts, but also in
other community settings. The task force would
report its findings and recommendations to the
General Assembly as soon as possible. Adopted:
47-0.
Senate Resolution 171 (Armstrong) observes
September 15 through October 15, 2005 as "Hispanic
Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice
Vote.
Senate Resolution 172 (Armstrong) recognizes and
supports the goals and ideals of "Life Insurance
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice
Vote.
Senate Resolution 173 (Orie) recognizes the
month of September 2005 as the 16th annual "Recovery
Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Executive Session
Nominations
to Various Boards and Commissions. (See Attached)
Confirmed: 47-0.
Tuesday, September
27, 2005
Senate Bill 711 (Gordner) would create the
Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act.
The measure would prohibit a person or entity from
causing computer software, commonly referred to as
spyware, to be copied onto the computer of an
authorized user: to modify the computer's settings
related to internet use; to collect personally
identifiable information; to prevent an authorized
user's efforts to block the installation of, or the
disabling of, spyware; to remove, disable, or render
inoperable anti-virus or anti-spyware software; or,
to take control of the computer for other
unauthorized purposes. Both county district
attorneys and the Pennsylvania Attorney General
would have the authority to investigate and
institute proceedings for any violations of the
act. A violation of the act would be a second
degree felony punishable by a prison term of from
one to ten years or a fine of not more than $25,000,
or both. The measure would also provide for civil
actions against a person who violates the act. For
purposes of civil actions, any single action that
violates more than one paragraph of the act would be
considered multiple violations based on the number
of paragraphs violated. A violation of the act
would be deemed an unfair or deceptive act or
practice in violation of the Unfair Trade Practices
and Consumer Protection Law. The Attorney General
would have exclusive authority to bring an action
under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer
Protection Law. Passed: 48-0.
Senate Resolution 158 (Browne) is a concurrent
resolution establishing a task force to study the
current system for providing services to indigent
criminal defendants, to review how other states
provide these services and to make recommendations
to the General Assembly. Adopted: 48-0.
Senate Resolution 174 (Piccola) designates
October 2005 as "Rett Syndrome Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania. Rett syndrome is a neurological
disorder that occurs almost exclusively in
girls. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 175 (Erickson) designates
October 1, 2005 as "Upper Darby Township
Neighborhood Unity Day." Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 176 (Conti) recognizes October
21, 2005 as "Biomedical Research Day" in
Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 177 (Pippy) designates October
15, 2005 as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness
Day" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 178 (Stack) recognizes October
2005 as "The Great Hunger Remembrance Month" in
Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 179 (Stack) designates the
month of October 2005 as "Polish American Heritage
Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 180 (Stack) designates the
month of October 2005 as "Italian American Heritage
Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 181 (Orie) designates October
12, 2005 as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence
Day" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 182 (Orie) designates the
month of October 2005 as "Domestic Violence
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice
Vote.
Senate Resolution 183 (Orie) commemorates the
lives of those persons killed by intoxicated drivers
and urges observance of October 2, 2005 as "DUI
Victims Memorial Day." Adopted by Voice Vote.
House Bill 1261 (O'Neill) would amend Title 51
(Military Affairs) to prohibit an insurer from
canceling, not renewing, imposing a surcharge or
rate penalty, or removing a premium discount upon
reinstatement of coverage, because of the deferral
of motor vehicle insurance coverage due to active
military service. The measure would clarify that it
is the intent of the General Assembly to treat
individuals subject to the section as if no deferral
had occurred. Passed: 48-0.
Executive Session
Nominations
to Various Boards and Commissions. (See Attached)
Confirmed: 48-0.
Wednesday,
September 28,2005
Senate Bill 358 (Mellow) would amend Title 51
(Military Affairs) to authorize extended eligibility
for grants under the Educational Assistance Program
for National Guard personnel who serve on active
duty in a combat zone. The bill would extend the
current five academic year limitation by "a period
of one year or for one additional month for each
month or part of the month of such service,
whichever is longer." An additional change would
allow grant payments to be made on behalf of
soldiers who are called to active duty after
September 11, 2001 for one additional month for each
month or part of month of such service after the
member is discharged or released under honorable
conditions from the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Under current law, grant payments can only be made
during the member's term of service in the Guard.
Passed: 48-0.
Senate Bill 682 (Kitchen) would amend the
Administrative Code to require the Department of
Public Welfare to provide a preference for placement
in subsidized child care to families that have at
least one parent who is a Pennsylvania National
Guard member that has been ordered to active federal
or state service. The family would have to be
otherwise eligible for the care under Department's
regulations. Families provided preference would
continue to receive subsidized child care services
after the Guard member returns from active service
as long as the family continues to meet the
eligibility requirements. Passed: 48-0.
Senate Bill 867 (Tomlinson) would authorize the
annual appropriation of $25 million from the State
Gaming Fund to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Agency for the purpose of making grants under the
Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance
Service Grant Act. The appropriations would be made
beginning in January 2006. This legislation is
necessary as the courts invalidated the transfer
provisions included in the Race Horse Development
and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004). Passed: 48-0.
Senate Resolution 184 (Mellow) designates the
week of October 2 through 8, 2005 as "Latex Allergy
Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice
Vote.
Senate Resolution 185 (Browne) designates the
month of September 2005 as "Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Recovery Month" in Pennsylvania. Adopted
by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 186 (Washington) recognizes
Thursday, Ocotber 6, 2005 as "National Depression
Screening Day" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice
Vote.
