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Politics & Government

New PA Laws Tackle: The Liquor Code, Sex Offenders, Redistricting & Abortion

A total of 24 bills became law last week in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Last week Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed 24 bills into law, which made changes to: 

The Liquor Code

  • House Bill 242 – This bill amends ‘The Liquor Code,’ to expand Sunday sales from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (currently distributors are only allowed to operate on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.) and allows licensees that offer meals to begin serving alcohol at 9 a.m. on Sundays (currently a licensee may only offer alcohol on Sundays beginning at 11 a.m.).  The legislation also it allows distilleries producing under 100,000 gallons of spirits to sell distilled spirits to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB), other licensees and the general public.  For a full story from Patch on this legislation, click .

Megan's Law

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  • Senate Bill 1183- The “Adam Walsh Bill” strengthens the state’s rule on convicted sex offenders, by imposing tougher reporting standards. The bill also closes loopholes in Pennsylvania’s current Megan’s Law that in the past allowed transient and certain out-of-state offenders to evade criminal prosecution by ignoring requirements for registering their home, school and work addresses with police. For a full story on this legislation from Patch, click .

Pennsylvania Congressional Districts

  • Senate Bill 1249 –The Congressional redistricting bill apportions the state into congressional districts in conformity with constitutional requirements, and makes other related changes. The congressional district that Rep. Jason Altmire now represents has been redrawn and changed substantially in the new Republican-drawn plan. For a full story on this legislation from Patch, click .

Regulations on Abortion Clinics

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  • Senate Bill 732 – This bill, labeled by those who opposed it, the  “Back-Door Ban” on abortion, will become effective in 180 days from Dec. 22, 2011. It limits abortions in Pennsylvania by requiring the Department of Health to regulate abortion facilities in the same manner as ambulatory surgical facilities, require the department to perform at least one unannounced inspection of each abortion facility annually, modify the definition of "abortion facility," and makes other changes.

Remaining bills signed into law on Dec. 22 by Gov. Corbett: 

  • House Bill 210 – This bill amends the Act of Dec. 19, 1990 (P.L.1234, No. 204), known as the Family Caregiver Support Act.  It changes the name of the Act to the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Act, addresses approved out-of-pocket expenses incurred by caregivers, allows reimbursement of non-relative caregivers and adult family members, and makes other changes.
  • House Bill 332 – This bill amends the Medical Practice Act further providing for definitions; and providing for regulation of genetic counselors.
  • House Bill 333 – This bill amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act further providing for definitions; and providing for regulation of genetic counselors.
  • House Bill 344 – This bill provides for gas and hazardous liquids pipelines and for powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; and imposes civil penalties.
  • House Bill 639 – This bill amends Title 53 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to allow the City of Philadelphia to adjust its affordable housing program fee for recording deeds, mortgages and other related documents.
  • House Bill 715 – This bill amends the Act of May 25, 1945 (P.L. 1050, No. 394), known as the Local Tax Collection Law, to change certain definitions, provide for vacancies in tax collectors' offices and agreements between municipalities and counties, and makes other changes.
  • House Bill 755 – This bill amends the act of Aug. 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as the County Code to increase the annual meeting and dues expenses allowed for county directors of veterans' affairs, in counties of the third through eighth class, from the current maximum of $100 to a maximum of $400.
  • House Bill 1052 – This bill establishes an independent informal dispute resolution process for long-term care nursing facilities to dispute Department of Health survey deficiencies; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Health.
  • House Bill 1337 – This bill returns a 3.8-mile section of Old Possessions Road in Ward Township, Tioga County, from the commonwealth to Ward Township, Tioga County, provided that certain conditions are first satisfied.
  • House Bill 1399 – This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in general provisions, further defining "motorcycle," and further providing for automated red light enforcement systems in the City of Philadelphia.
  • House Bill 1792 – This bill designates a portion of State Route 642, beginning at the intersection of State Route 642 and State Route 54 and proceeding west to the border of Northumberland and Union counties, as the U.S. Army Specialist Zachariah W. Long Highway. 
  • Senate Bill 242 – This bill designates the bridge that carries State Route 601 over Barclay Run in Somerset Borough, Somerset County, as the Trooper Stephen R. Gyurke Memorial Bridge.
  • Senate Bill 366 – This bill amends the Act of Dec. 22, 1983 (P.L. 306, No. 84), known as the Board of Vehicles Act, to address "mobility vehicles," change definitions, provide for representation on the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, and makes other changes.
  • Senate Bill 638 – This bill amends the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, to limit the costs for providing transportation for individuals receiving methadone treatment by a licensed provider, pursuant to a narcotic treatment program, provides for an exceptions process and makes other changes.
  • Senate Bill 957 – This bill amends the Act of Oct. 5, 1978 (P.L. 1109, No. 261), known as the Osteopathic Practice Act, to provide for the licensure of athletic trainers, change the term used to describe athletic trainers from "certified athletic trainer" to "licensed athletic trainer," provide definitions and makes other changes.
  • Senate Bill 967 – A companion bill to SB 957 (see above), this bill amends the Act of Oct. 20, 1985 (P.L. 457, No. 112), known as the Medical Practice Act, and further provides for the licensing and oversight of "licensed athletic trainers."
  • Senate Bill 1054 – This bill provides for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2011-2012. This legislation would take effect July 1, 2011, or immediately, whichever is later.The bill specifies the maximum principal amount of additional debt to be incurred during the 2011-12 fiscal year for capital projects itemized in a capital projects itemization bill. The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania limits outstanding capital budget debt to 1.75 times the average tax revenues during the previous five fiscal years. Voter approved and disaster relief debt are not subject to the constitutional debt limit.
  • Senate Bill 1276 – This bill amends the County Code further providing for classification of counties.
  • Senate Bill 1335 – This bill amends the Banking Code further providing for names permitted to be used and for prohibition of adoption, use or advertisement of certain names, titles and descriptions.
  • Senate Bill 1336 – This bill amends the Accident & Health Filing Reform Act and addresses rates, contracts, commonwealth exclusivity, and makes other changes.
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