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In this Update:

• Senator Martin’s Dental Volunteerism Legislation Approved by the Legislature
• Senate Approves Measures to Support Police and Crime Victims
• Legislature Approves Senator Martin’s License Plate Obstruction Violation Legislation
• Senate Acts to Add Sex Traffickers to Sex Offender Registry
• Senator Martin’s Name Image Likeness Update Legislation Advances to Governor’s Desk
• Measure to Improve Notification of Government Data Breaches Sent to Governor
• Health Care Reform Measure Receives Final Approval
• Mail-In Ballot Application Deadline is Nov. 1
• Recognizing the Contributions of First Responders
• Time for Trick or Treaters

Senator Martin’s Dental Volunteerism Legislation Approved by the Legislature

Earlier this week the Senate approved my legislation that would give continuing educational credits to dentists who volunteer at free clinics and charity events.  Senate Bill 1173 will allow dentists to claim up to three hours of continuing education credits after volunteering at free events or clinics that provide critical access to underserved populations who often fall through the cracks in our existing health care system.

Senate Approves Measures to Support Police and Crime Victims

Taking further action to stem the rise in violent crime in Pennsylvania, the Senate this week passed measures to support law enforcement and crime victims.

House Bill 103 seeks to better protect our law enforcement officers against harassment by strengthening penalties against criminals who intentionally spit on or throw bodily fluids at officers.

House Bill 1546 further protects law enforcement officers by prohibiting the release of a public safety official’s home address or telephone number.

While criminal prosecutions punish offenders, restitution for crime victims often falls short. When that happens, victims often turn to the civil justice system.

The Senate passed House Bill 2525 to make it easier for crime victims to obtain relevant information learned by law enforcement during the investigation of the crime. Crime victims can then use that information in civil legal actions to recover damages for their injuries.

In addition, the Senate approved House Bill 140 to help fight rampant crime in Philadelphia. It requires the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute crimes committed within its mass transit system.

These efforts build on the work that has been accomplished over the past two years to protect crime victims, prevent human trafficking and strengthen penalties for criminals who seek to elude officers.

Legislature Approves Senator Martin’s License Plate Obstruction Violation Legislation

Recently the legislature amended SB 1357, my legislation that would clarify license plate obstruction violations, into HB 1486.  This legislation is necessary after a recent court ruling appeared to criminalize thousands of drivers overnight.  I introduced this measure to stipulate that only important identifiable information must be visible and the final version includes language to ban tinted license plate covers. 

Senate Acts to Add Sex Traffickers to Sex Offender Registry

A measure requiring offenders convicted of a sex trafficking-related crime to register as sex offenders received final legislative approval this week.

Senate Bill 118 adds these crimes to the reporting requirements of Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law. The law requires the State Police to maintain a public, online registry of persons who reside, work or attend school in the Commonwealth and who have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to certain sexual offenses in Pennsylvania or another jurisdiction.

Most defendants in the FBI’s human trafficking cases had prior criminal records and are prone to recidivism. The Megan’s Law Registry has proven to be a deterrent to subsequent sexual offenses committed by those who are on it. The bill was sent to the governor for enactment.

Senator Martin’s Name Image Likeness Update Legislation Advances to Governor’s Desk

In 2021, my Name, Image and Likeness Legislation that provided opportunities for student athletes to have more control over NIL use became Act 26.  One year after the law’s implementation, some updates are needed to refine how student athletes and institutions of higher education interact with NIL contracts.  Earlier this week, the language developed for the update was amended into HB 2633, passed by the General Assembly and sent to the Governor for his signature.

Measure to Improve Notification of Government Data Breaches Sent to Governor

Legislation requiring that state agencies, their contractors and local governments provide timely notification to victims of a data breach received final approval.

Breaches involving personally identifiable information must be reported within seven days of such a breach being determined, under Senate Bill 696.

In addition to timely notification, the measure requires the state Attorney General to be notified of a state-level breach and county district attorneys to be notified of county, municipal and school district breaches. The bill was sent to the governor for enactment.

Health Care Reform Measure Receives Final Approval

The Senate gave final approval of a measure that would standardize and streamline the process of prior authorization and step therapy for medical services.

Prior authorization is the process in which health care providers obtain advance approval for purposes of payment coverage and reimbursement from an insurer before a specific procedure or service is delivered to the patient. Step therapy allows insurers to recommend different drug treatment option(s) to patients to address costs.

A recent survey of physicians found that 91% of doctors said prior authorization delays can lead to negative clinical impacts on patients, and 78% of doctors said that prior authorization delays can lead to their patients abandoning treatment plans.

Senate Bill 225 would create standards and timely feedback for commercial health insurance plans, as well as Medicaid plans, when health care providers seek prior authorization approval from insurers. The bill also reforms step therapy protocols. The bill was sent to the governor to be signed into law.

Mail-In Ballot Application Deadline is Nov. 1

Tuesday, Nov. 1, is the deadline to apply for mail and absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 General Election. 

Applications can be requested online or you can download the form and return it to your County Voter Registration Office no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Instructions for preparing and returning your ballot can be found here. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Recognizing the Contributions of First Responders

We sometimes take for granted the sacrifice and dedication of first responders, without whom our communities could not safely function.

Thank you, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and everyone else who answers the call, anytime, day or night.

Time for Trick or Treaters

The Lancaster County Intermunicipal Committee passed a new trick-or-treat policy in February of 2022.  This policy recommended that the trick-or-treat date set by communities should be October 31, between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm, rain or shine.  

As trick-or-treat is neither governed by municipal law nor ordinance, this is a recommendation only, and does not prohibit or prevent residents, organizations, and/or neighborhoods from conducting trick-or-treat activities on other dates or times.

In addition to stocking up on candy, please keep an eye out for distracted children crossing streets and scurrying about.

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