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In This Update:

• Bills to Protect Young Victims of Sexual Assault, First Responders Await Governor’s Signature
• Webpage Details Senate Action During 2019-20 Legislative Session
• Senate Passes Package of Bills to Support Veterans, Military Families
• Additional Funding Approved to Help Schools Meet Health and Safety Needs
• Senate Votes to Protect Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Issues, Substance Use Disorder
• Applications for Community Violence Prevention Grants Due November 10
• Energy Efficiency Grants Available for Farmers, Small Businesses

Bills to Protect Young Victims of Sexual Assault, First Responders Await Governor’s Signature

A pair of bills that I authored received final legislative approval last week and were sent to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. It is expected that Governor Wolf will sign both bills in the near future.

The bills would:

• Require schools to remove any student convicted or adjudicated delinquent of sexual assault against another student enrolled at the same school. Under the bill, the school district would be required to expel, transfer or reassign the offender to another school or educational program.

• Ensure members of volunteer fire companies, ambulance corps and rescue squads who are injured in the line of duty will qualify for worker’s compensation coverage through the State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF). The legislation would apply to 1,550 volunteer fire companies and 92 ambulance organizations that are insured by SWIF.

Webpage Details Senate Action During 2019-20 Legislative Session

Although lawmakers are expected to return to Harrisburg next month to complete work on the remainder of the 2020-21 state budget, the lion’s share of the work from the 2019-20 Legislative Session has been completed. A complete overview of bills approved by the Senate over the past two years is available here.

The list includes a number of bills I authored, including measures to provide property tax relief for local taxpayers during COVID-19; create a new grant program to help students who are homebound due to severe injury or illness; reform and refocus the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to better meet the needs of students; support volunteer firefighters by allowing them to keep more of the money they generate through fundraising events; improve the City Revitalization & Improvement Zone (CRIZ) program; protect local communities against the location of unwanted Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs); reauthorize a key panel that is responsible for addressing skyrocketing health care costs to Pennsylvania consumers; and improve the state’s overall emergency response during a disaster declaration.

Senate Passes Package of Bills to Support Veterans, Military Families

Throughout our nation’s history, Pennsylvania’s military veterans and their families have been called on to make extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of a grateful nation. I supported a package of bills last week designed to boost support for veterans and military families and honor their incredible efforts to protect their fellow citizens.

The package includes bills that would permanently establish the Military Family Relief Assistance Program in state law; update the Veterans’ Preference Law to ensure veterans receive proper credit for their skills and experience; create Veterans Courts to provide mentorship and treatment for underlying problems; help more veterans qualify for prescription drug assistance; and ensure the POW/MIA flag is flown on any ground or building owned by the Commonwealth and at all roadside rest stops and welcome centers operated by PennDOT, as well as PA Turnpike service plazas.

All of the bills were sent to the governor’s desk to be signed into law in advance of Veterans Day on November 11. 

Additional Funding Approved to Help Schools Meet Health and Safety Needs

Local schools will be able to apply soon for additional grant funding to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and school employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants were approved as part of the $200 million COVID-19 Disaster Emergency School Health and Safety Grant program created by lawmakers in May as part of Act 30 of 2020.

Eligible uses of the funding include:

• The purchase of cleaning and sanitizing products.
• Training and professional development of staff on sanitation and infection prevention.
• Equipment purchases.
• Modifying school facilities to support appropriate social distancing of students and staff.
• Mental health services and supports.
• Educational technology for distance learning.
• Other health and safety programs, items or services.

The grant program is expected to open no later than Monday, November 2. Grant applications can be submitted on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Egrants website.

Senate Votes to Protect Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Issues, Substance Use Disorder

Millions of Pennsylvanians struggle with mental health issues and substance use disorder, and many state residents report challenges in receiving the care they need. The Senate approved two bills last week to ensure mental health and substance use disorder receive the same level of insurance coverage as other health issues.

The bills will strengthen enforcement of a federal law that mandates equal access to care and coverage for these health issues. House Bill 1696 and House Bill 1439 would require insurers to annually attest the steps they have taken to comply with this law.

Applications for Community Violence Prevention Grants Due November 10

Local municipalities, counties, colleges and community groups are encouraged to apply for grants to boost community safety and reduce the risk of violence. Applications for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Initiative must be completed and returned by November 10.

The program was created by lawmakers two years ago as part of a broad package of reforms to make our schools and communities safer. Eligible uses for the grants include mentoring services and other intervention services for at-risk children and families; promoting communication between school entities and law enforcement; linking the community with local trauma support and behavioral health systems; and other programs designed to reduce community violence.

Energy Efficiency Grants Available for Farmers, Small Businesses

Farmers and other small business owners can apply now for grants to support energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects. Applications for the Small Business Advantage Grant program are available now, and grants will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis through April 12, 2021.

The program covers up to 50 percent of the project costs up to $7,000. Grants are available to small businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees who undertake projects that would save the business 25 percent ($500 minimum) on energy costs annually.

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