Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats

Nov. 20, 2009

PASSED THE HOUSE

House passes Murphy's proposal to safeguard adoption records

The state House has passed legislation proposed by Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-Lackawanna, that would protect adoption records from disposal or loss when private adoption agencies shut down. House Bill 1907 would require adoption agencies to file a pre-closure plan with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare detailing how adoption records would be transferred to another qualified agency.

"There are a lot of people who were adopted and need to be able to access their adoption records later in life for various reasons," Murphy said. "Sometimes they need to obtain medical history information contained in the adoption records, while other times they might want to reunite with their birthmothers and families. But whatever the reason, we've got to make sure private adoption agencies are passing on those records for continued safekeeping and availability."

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Bill to reduce cost to governments for legal ads passes House

State Rep. John Hornaman, D-Erie, said legislation he authored that would require newspapers of general circulation to reduce the rates they charge to government entities for legal advertising passed the state House this week. House Bill 1876 would require newspapers of general circulation to charge a government rate or price no more than 75 percent of its lowest-base classified advertising rate charged to non-contractual commercial customers. The discounted rate would apply to legal advertising that, by current law, must be published by government units in newspapers of general circulation. The rate would be frozen until June 30, 2012.

"In these challenging fiscal times, this bill provides a savings to government -- and consequentially to Pennsylvania taxpayers," Hornaman said. "This bill is a common-sense measure that helps all of our governmental units by reducing costs by 25 percent."

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COMMITTEE ACTION

Shapiro's bill to strengthen hate crimes protections approved by committee

State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, has secured the House Judiciary Committee's approval for his bill to strengthen Pennsylvania's Hate Crimes Law by a bipartisan vote of 18-8. Shapiro's bill (H.B. 745) would expand the law to include crimes motivated by malicious intent toward an individual's or group's actual or perceived ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. The bill is now pending before the full House.

"This bipartisan vote is a significant step forward for Pennsylvania to ensure that hate violence perpetrated against our people and communities is not tolerated," Shapiro said.

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Solobay bill would expand opportunities for vehicle salespeople

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, that would expand sales opportunities for vehicle salespeople has been voted out of the House Professional Licensure Committee. House Bill 1472 would allow licensed vehicle salespeople to sell for up to three dealerships at the same time.

"Many vehicle salespeople are paid on a commission basis. As hard economic times continue, the number of vehicle sales continues to plummet, leaving these individuals with severely decreased incomes," Solobay said. "By providing licensed vehicles salespeople with more options for work, we are protecting them and their families from financial hardship."