Category: Pennsylvania Legislation

Laws proposed or passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature

Act 139 Grants Immunity For Those Reporting ODs

A bill providing legal immunity from minor drug offenses for those reporting overdoses was signed into law as Act 139 by Gov. Tom Corbett on Sept. 24, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

It also grants immunity to the overdose victim.

The law was introduced as SB 1164 in November 2013 by Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9)was passed by the Pennsylvania House, Sept. 24 and signed into law as Act 139 by Gov. Corbett on Sept. 30.

“This fear of prosecution prevents many who need emergency assistance from getting help, and that can mean the difference between life and death,” Cox said.T”he new law also makes the potentially life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone, available to emergency services personnel, law enforcement and even family or friends of someone who is at risk of an opioid overdose.”

Over the past five years, heroin and opioid abuse has claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Pennsylvanian, Cox said. One in four families across the Commonwealth will be affected by opioid abuse.

“If you or someone you know needs assistance overcoming addiction, you can visit the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs website, and find a variety of statewide treatment options,” Cox said.

Act 139 Grants Immunity For Those Reporting ODs

Act 139 Grants Immunity For Those Reporting ODs

Education Bills Pending In Pa

Continuing our commitment to ensuring a quality education for Pennsylvania students, the House last week took up four school-related bills, reports state Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

Senate Bill 1281 would reform the cumbersome and outdated reimbursement process for school renovation and construction projects, Cox said. It would also establish a publicly accessible Internet database (SchoolWATCH) that shows exactly how taxpayer money is being spent by schools as a way to increase transparency; and give school districts flexibility for obtaining the necessary 180 school days in a school year in the case of weather emergencies. The bill awaits further consideration by the Senate.

In addition, House Bill 1207 seeks to expand access to the popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) or the Educational Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which help provide opportunities for students to participate in innovated educational programs. The legislation is awaiting further consideration by the full House.

Finally, House Bill 2076 would make sure high school students get the college credits they earn through Advanced Placement and other educational programs by requiring the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to adopt uniform standards to ensure that all credits transfer between the State System universities seamlessly. The bill awaits action in the Senate.

“The House continues to look for ways to improve educational opportunities for all students across the Commonwealth, with more efficient oversight, streamlining the bureaucratic process, and putting students first,” Cox said.

Education Bills Pending In Pa

Education Bills Pending In Pa

HB 1243 Stops Local Gungrabbing

A bill is before the full Pennsylvania House that would keep local governments from implementing their own ordinances, rules or laws regarding ownership, possession or transportation of firearms, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

The bill is HB 1243.

“Such local ordinances are already prohibited by state law; however, some municipalities have enacted local laws anyway,” Cox said. “To help deter that practice, the measure also would give legal standing to any person who has been adversely affected by any regulation put forth or enforced in violation of this premise, to seek injunctive and declarative relief, as well as damages.”

HB 1243 would also  require the Pennsylvania State Police to provide existing mental health records already incorporated in the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to the National Instant Check System (NICS) and require ongoing submissions of this data to NICS within 72 hours of State Police receiving it. The goal is to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, not only in Pennsylvania but across the country.

An additional amendment to require universal background checks on all firearms sales in Pennsylvania was considered but failed, Cox said. Under current Pennsylvania law, all firearms purchases are subject to background checks, with the exception of the private sales of long guns (hunting rifles).

HB 1243 Stops Local Gungrabbing
HB 1243 Stops Local Gungrabbing

Act 12 Adjusts PACE Eligibility

Senior citizens  enrolled in PACE and PACENET may retain their benefits even if their income may exceed certain income guidelines under legislation under Act 12 of 2014, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

The law started as House Bill 777.

The new law allows any individual enrolled in PACE or PACENET as of Dec. 31, 2012, to remain eligible if his or her maximum income limit is exceeded solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment until such eligibility expires on Dec. 31, 2015.

This adjustment was required after the Social Security Administration issued a cost-of-living increase that put many seniors just beyond the eligible income threshold, potentially costing them valuable prescription drug assistance.

PACE, PACENET and PACE plus Medicare are Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs for older adults, offering low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents, age 65 and older.

For more information on PACE, PACENET and other programs, visit the Department of Aging’s website  or call 1-800-225-7223.

 

Act 12 Adjusts PACE Eligibility

Caregiver Funding To Family Members Subject Of Pa Study

Pennsylvania programs for caregiver services are going to get a lookover reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

Cox notes that the best person to care for a Pennsylvanian is often a family member but barriers exist in that prevent family members from receiving funding to serve as caregivers.

“That is why I introduced and the state House approved a resolution calling for a bipartisan legislative committee comprised of six senators and six representatives to review this situation,” Cox said.

The committee is tasked with identifying whether the barriers were created through laws, regulations or policies.

Once the committee conducts its review and provides recommendations, the House and Senate will be better prepared to consider changes to remove the barriers that prevent family members from serving as caregivers. The report is due within the next six months.

Caregiver Funding To Family Members Subject Of Pa Study

Caregiver Funding To Family Members Subject Of Pa Study

SB76 Clears Senate Finance Committee

The Pennsylvania Senate Finance Committee, Sept. 16,  approved the Property Tax Independence Act (Senate Bill 76), marking the first time the proposal has earned a positive vote from a legislative committee, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

Cox along with Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) introduced the bill in March 2013.

The legislation would completely replace school district property taxes through an expansion of the sales tax to include some currently exempt items, an increase in the sales tax rate and an increase in the state income tax. The sales tax would increase by one cent for every dollar spent on taxable items and the income tax would increase by a little more than one cent on every taxable dollar earned.

“This week’s vote was certainly a victory for everyone involved in this movement,” Cox said. “It marks the first big step in a long legislative process. This is a success we can build upon as we move forward”

 

SB76 Clears Senate Finance Committee

SB76 Clears Senate Finance Committee

Springfield High School Project Town Halls

Regina Scheerer has sent us the schedule for the six town halls that will be held for the proposed Springfield High School (Pa.) project the cost estimate of which is $150 million.

The first meeting is 7 p.m., Oct. 16 at the Springfield High School Auditorium, 49 W Leamy Ave, Springfield, PA 19064.

The schedule of meetings can be found here.

Note if  state law is changed the cost will drop by $30 million over night.

Springfield High School Project Town Halls

Springfield High School Project Town Halls

HB 2461 Addresses Suicide Prevention

House Bill 2461 was introduced to enhance suicide prevention efforts across Pennsylvania, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). This legislation, known as the Matt Adler Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Act, would require the State Board of Psychology and the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors to have at least one hour of continuing education in the assessment, treatment and management of suicide. The bill is in the House Professional Licensure Committee awaiting consideration.

This legislation enhances efforts by the House, which adopted Act 71 of 2014 to require school entities to adopt a youth suicide awareness and prevention policy, and require educators in Pennsylvania’s public and charter schools who teach sixth through 12th grade to receive four hours of training on suicide prevention every five years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 39,000 Americans end their own lives, nearly 500,000 people are treated in U.S. emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries, and 1 million adults report making a suicide attempt. Many more people struggle with thoughts of suicide.

Sept. 10 marked World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness of this serious public health problem that affects people of all ages.

HB 2461 Addresses Suicide Prevention

HB 2461 Addresses Suicide Prevention

30 Million Dollars Found Money

30 Million Dollars Found Money

30 Million Dollars Found Money if Pennsylvania changes the law.

The Springfield School (Pa) District is pushing for a new $150 million high school that would add about $400 to the already crushing  and ever-increasing school property tax for the average homeowner.

Leaving aside the dubious necessity of the building, that cost could be cut by $30 million almost literally overnight simply by putting some ink on paper — or erasing some off.

Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage law adds 20 percent to cost of all public construction projects for absolutely no reason other than to enrich those whose wealth comes from playing politics and it is these who are the true “1% ers”.

So why not scrap a law that impoverishes 99 percent of us? Because 99 percent of us don’t like to play politics. We better learn. Springfield residents contact your state representative Bill Adolph (R-165), who has quite a bit of say in what goes on in Harrisburg, and let him know you can’t hurt anymore. Let him know your grandparents can’t hurt anymore. Let him know your children can’t hurt anymore.

30 Million Dollars Found Money

 

Pennsylvania Redistricting Takes Effect Dec. 1

After a contentious, Constitutionally mandated redistricting process, the state legislative district boundary lines officially change on Dec. 1, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

It’s after the November election so the person you vote for may not be who ends up being your representative.

 

Pennsylvania Redistricting Takes Effect Dec. 1 Pennsylvania State Senate Districts

How Pennsylvania’s 50 state senate districts will look.

Pennsylvania Redistricting Takes Effect Dec. 1 Pennsylvania State House Districts

How Pennsylvania’s 203 state house districts will look. Remember, the smaller the district the more the representation, which is a good thing.

PDF files of the maps which may provide better detail can be found on the state’s website here.

Pennsylvania Redistricting Takes Effect Dec. 1