An update of recent legislative activity by Pennsylvania House Democrats

March 21, 2008

PASSED THE HOUSE

House Democrats deliver on health insurance for working people

The House this week passed Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care legislation that would expand health insurance for working people, save lives, reduce health-care costs and make health care accessible and affordable for more than a quarter-million people statewide, according to House Democratic leaders. PA ABC would expand adultBasic benefits to include eligible working people, and also add prescription drug coverage, behavioral health services, wellness care and disease management. The measure (S.B. 1137), sponsored by Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, would also help small businesses offer coverage to their employees and continue to assist doctors in paying their medical malpractice premiums in Pennsylvania.

"We are helping people who get up and go to work every day, but aren't offered health insurance by their employers and who can't afford coverage on their own," Eachus said. "We're helping working people, helping companies who already offer health insurance, and helping small employers who wouldn't be able to afford to offer coverage otherwise. PA ABC is a commonsense plan that will save lives and sharply reduce costs."

Click here to read more. Additional information about PA ABC is available at www.pahouse.com.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Shimkus hosts hearing on regulating home builders

Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, hosted a House Consumer Affairs Committee hearing in Scranton on his legislation that would regulate new home builders in Pennsylvania. House Bill 1821 would require home builders, including industrialized and mobile home builders, to register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection within the state Attorney General's Office. They would be required to provide a driver's license number, partnership/corporation and liability information. All applicants would be required to provide a statement disclosing any fraudulent activity or Commonwealth Court action, including any revocation or suspension of right to work.

"When you work practically your whole life to purchase a home, you shouldn't end up with little more than a pocket of sawdust and pile of legal bills," Shimkus said. "But that's what is happening to many potential homeowners across the Commonwealth."

-- Click here to read more.

BILL INTRODUCTIONS

Business leaders rally around Gerber's economic stimulus package

An economic stimulus proposal introduced earlier this month by Rep. Mike Gerber, D-Montgomery, has quickly gained a great deal of support among Pennsylvania's business community and fellow lawmakers. CompetePA would keep Pennsylvania's business environment strong during a slowing national economy. The bill would provide strategic business tax cuts to make Pennsylvania's business environment more competitive during the current economic slowdown, helping to keep jobs in the state and making the state more attractive to new business.

"I'm pleased but not surprised this proposal has gained so much support from the business community that needs our support in the House during what could be a difficult year," Gerber said. "I'm particularly encouraged by the overwhelming number of my House colleagues that have supported the legislation."

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Regional compact might aid fight against electric corridor

Continuing his fight against the U.S. Energy Department's designation of 52 of 67 Pennsylvania counties as a national electric corridor, House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese wants the Commonwealth to join forces with other states in forming a "regional transmission siting agency." DeWeese is seeking co-sponsors for legislation creating the Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor Compact Act.

"The agency would facilitate siting of future electric transmission facilities within those states and carry out the electric energy transmission siting responsibilities of those states," said DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. "The most important aspect of forming a compact is that member states would only be subject to Section 1221 of the law under limited circumstances."

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Yewcic measure would strengthen child sexual predator law

Rep. Tom Yewcic, D-Cambria/Somerset, has introduced legislation that would strengthen Pennsylvania's child protective services law. The legislation (H.B. 2350) would add a new section to the law to require health-care providers to report evidence of sexual activity in girls 12 or younger to the Child Predator Unit of the state Attorney General's Office and the county child service agency.

"Evidence of sexual activity, or the presence of STDs or a pregnancy, in girls this young is a sign of rape or sexual abuse," Yudichak said. "That's why I believe health-care or other social service agencies that see these girls should be required to determine their age and, if they are younger than 13, report their sexual activity to law enforcement."

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Biancucci bill would prohibit private citizen police forces

Rep. Vince Biancucci, D-Beaver, has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would prevent ordinary citizens from creating private police forces. Biancucci's bill (H.B. 2382) would repeal an obsolete provision of state law that allows ordinary citizens to form private police forces.

"This is a simple fix to what could very well be a serious problem," Biancucci explained. "I'm concerned about the safety of any untrained group of people that forms a private police force. They just don't have the training and knowledge of our police departments and first-responders to ensure their own safety, let alone the safety of their community."

-- Click here to read more.

Casorio introduces anti-bullying measure

Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Westmoreland, has introduced legislation that would require school districts in Pennsylvania to adopt and enforce formal anti-bullying policies. Casorio's legislation (H.B. 2373) would require all school districts in Pennsylvania to set up formal anti-bullying plans and to present those plans to the public for review. Anti-bullying plans also would have to be approved by the state Department of Education. Once a school district's anti-bullying plan was in place, the district would be required to inform students and parents about it and to enforce it. School districts would be able to rely on model bullying and anti-intimidation plans created by the state's Office of Safe Schools when tailoring their own plans. The model plans would be based on programs already in place in some Pennsylvania school districts and in other parts of the country. 

"Bullying has become a significant problem in many school districts across Pennsylvania," Casorio said. "It has grown well beyond the scope of kids picking on other kids; it introduces the real potential for violence in the classroom and it routinely disrupts learning not only for the children being bullied, but also for other students and teachers, as well."

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Pashinski to introduce anti-crime bills

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, plans to introduce two anti-crime bills that would require better monitoring of prepaid cell phone purchases for potential criminal activity and stricter sentencing for people convicted of graffiti vandalism in Pennsylvania. The first bill would require individuals purchasing prepaid cell phone cards to provide two forms of identification when they purchase three or more prepaid cell phones or when they purchase a pre-paid cell phone with cash. The bill would also require retail stores to maintain the information and provide it to state police on a quarterly basis. The second bill would require mandatory sentencing and fines for individuals convicted of graffiti violations. The number of hours for supervised community service and amount of the fine would depend on the extent of property damage from the graffiti.

"My intent is not to limit people's ability to buy prepaid cell phones, but to help police monitor the sale of prepaid cell phones, which criminals prefer because they cannot be traced, in an effort to deter criminal activity," Pashinski said. "Also, graffiti continues to be a nuisance in our neighborhoods, towns and cities. My second proposal is intended to reduce the amount of graffiti spray painted on buildings and other property across the state."

-- Click here to read more.