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In this Update:
Committee Advances Bill Strengthening Sex Offender Registry
Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) is a key tool used to monitor potentially dangerous predators. This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill I’ve authored with Senator Lisa Baker to strengthen SORNA and ensure young people are better protected. Our bill adds the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association as a Tier II sexual offense, requiring individuals convicted of this offense to register as a sexual offender. Under current law, those convicted of this offense are not required to register as sex offenders. More information about our bill is available here. Special Recognition for Ag Conservation Leadership
It was an honor recently to receive the Karl Brown Award for Conservation Leadership along with my colleague, Senator Gene Yaw. The award is given annually by the Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Assistance Training to individuals who have demonstrated significant initiative and leadership on agricultural conservation issues in Pennsylvania. Senator Yaw and I worked to enact the landmark Clean Streams Fund to clean up rivers and streams damaged by decades of non-point source pollution, including agricultural runoff, abandoned mine drainage and stormwater in developed areas. The establishment of the Fund coincided with creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which has become one of the most successful initiatives of its kind. Learn more about our efforts here. REMINDER: Grow PA Scholarship Grants Available Now
Pennsylvanians can still apply for Grow PA Scholarship Grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification for an in-demand occupation. The application period for grants opened two weeks ago, and the program has already generated more than 4,000 applications statewide. To qualify for the grant, applicants must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation. Grant recipients will be required to live and work in Pennsylvania for 12 months for each year they receive the grant. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the grant converting to a loan requiring repayment. Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Learn more or apply here. Senate Votes to Strengthen Crime Prevention, Keep Communities Safe
Pennsylvania families deserve to be safe. The Senate took decisive action this week to hold dangerous criminals accountable and approved three key bills to protect Pennsylvania communities. Senate Bill 92 would impose a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers who sell fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose. Known as Tyler’s Law, after Tyler Shanafelter, who tragically died at the age of 18 after purchasing pills he didn’t realize were laced with fentanyl, SB 92 sends a strong message that those fueling the opioid crisis will face severe consequences. Senate Bill 471 would require prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a criminal defendant is identified as unlawfully present in the United States. The bill would ensure that individuals who commit serious crimes are transferred to federal custody for removal proceedings. It also would prohibit sanctuary policies that obstruct communication between local law enforcement and federal agencies. Senate Bill 490 would prohibit non-monetary bail for the most threatening individuals, including those who possess 10 grams or more of fentanyl, have a history of violent crime or assault a law enforcement officer. These bills reflect Senate Republicans’ commitment to fighting crime, protecting Pennsylvania families and ensuring that our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to uphold justice. Each measure builds upon broader efforts to make Pennsylvania a safer place to live, work and raise a family. Senate Acts Against False Emergency Threats at Schools
The Senate this week approved legislation to crack down on false emergency threats targeting schools, a move aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the strain on emergency responders. The bill, which also passed the Senate in the previous legislative session, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions. If signed into law, making a false report of an emergency threat to a school would be classified as a third-degree felony, and courts would be allowed to impose financial penalties to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers for emergency response efforts. The legislation comes in response to a troubling rise in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing fear among students and parents while diverting law enforcement and emergency personnel from real emergencies. Senate Bill 96 is part of a broader effort to safeguard schools and hold bad actors accountable. May 7 is the REAL ID Deadline
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. Only about 26% of Pennsylvania drivers have replaced their standard driver’s license with a REAL ID. REAL IDs are available now and will continue to be available to Pennsylvanians after the May 7 enforcement deadline. Learn more about REAL ID documentation requirements and find a printable checklist for required REAL ID documents here. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is offering dedicated times at specific driver license centers to help Pennsylvanians get their REAL ID. Some centers will be able to process and issue a REAL ID at the time of service. Others will be able to verify and image your documents. You will then receive your REAL ID by mail within 15 business days. Dates for these REAL ID Days include April 7, April 14, April 28 and May 5 – all Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Customers who want a REAL ID but aren’t able to attend a REAL ID Day may visit any REAL ID Center to receive a REAL ID at the time of service, visit any PennDOT Driver License Center to have documents verified and then receive REAL ID within 15 business days or apply online (pre-verified customers only). April is National Donate Life Month
For the 23rd year, we recognize April as an opportunity to raise awareness about organ donation. In the season that represents new beginnings, we honor donors, recipients, their families, caregivers and the clinical teams that make it all possible. More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are awaiting organ transplants. Organ donation can save up to eight lives, and tissue donation can enhance the lives of 75 others by helping them recover from trauma, spinal injuries, burns and vision loss. If you aren’t an organ or tissue donor yet but would like to be, there’s no need to wait until you get or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. It’s easy to register online to donate. There are no costs to the donor’s family for donation. Paramedics, doctors and nurses remain committed to doing everything possible to save donors’ lives. Learn more.
If you have a question about the information in this e-newsletter or other state related matters that you would like a response to, please click HERE to submit your inquiry through my website. This will help to ensure that we are able to respond to your question in a timely fashion due to the high volume of emails and the ever growing amount of computer generated spam mail we receive daily. |
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