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In this update:
Updating DUI law to assist prosecutors
The Senate approved a measure I authored along with Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-Cambria/Centre/Clearfield) to update and make several technical changes to Pennsylvania’s DUI law. The bill comes at the request of our District Attorney, Dave Sunday, and prosecutors across the state as our state’s law needed to be updated to reflect new decisions made by both the U.S. and Pennsylvania Supreme Courts. You can learn more here. Senate committee votes to safeguard digital assets of students
The Senate Education Committee approved my bill that modernizes Pennsylvania law to accommodate student information being stored online, as well as students learning and attending school online. As it currently stands, student-related data is being generated, collected, and stored within our school systems, with no current protocols.
In many cases, these children do not even know their information has been compromised until they go to take out a loan or apply for a credit card. Our students deserve better protections, and this bill will provide that to students and their parents. You can learn more here. State would automatically return unclaimed property under bill approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation authorizing the state to return unclaimed property without the need for rightful owners to search for it. It now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 24 would authorize the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to automatically return single-owner property for living individuals valued up to $5,000 after a thorough identification and verification process. The legislation streamlines the return of unclaimed money and property by eliminating the need for citizens to search and file a claim. For larger and more complex claims, owners would still be required to complete a claim form and provide additional information to confirm their identity and rightful ownership. This commonsense initiative, which exemplifies how government should work to better serve its citizens, would return more money to hardworking Pennsylvanians who may be unaware of their unclaimed property. During my tenure as state senator, my team and I have helped connect more than $300,000 in unclaimed property to its rightful owner. Search Treasury’s unclaimed property database here. Basic Education Funding Commission hears from Department of Education
The bipartisan, bicameral Basic Education Funding Commission held its second meeting on Wednesday to hear from the Pennsylvania Department of Education on the history of the state’s funding formula. It provided valuable insight to the members of the commission. This commission’s task is to review the distribution of public education funding to all 500 public school districts across the Commonwealth. I am proud to co-chair this commission with Rep. Mike Sturla, a Democrat from Lancaster County. You can learn more about the commission here. You can find videos from our meetings here. Prohibiting consumers from financing dog, cat purchases
The Animal Protection Caucus, of which I am a member, held an event this week to draw attention to several reform measures that would protect dogs, cats, horses and other animals in our Commonwealth. I am sponsoring a bill alongside the caucus’ co-chair, Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery) to prohibit the financing of the purchase of a cat or dog. In one instance, we found a woman who unknowingly signed up to finance the purchase of a puppy with an interest rate of more than 150%! You can read more about our effort here. The measure is supported by Humane PA. The event coincided with Service Animal Appreciation Day, which featured several organizations from across the state, including the York County Sheriff’s Office! You can check out more photos here. Protecting Pennsylvanians from unauthorized tracking devices
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from the unauthorized use of electronic tracking devices. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. I look forward to casting an affirmative vote for this measure should it be brought to the full Senate for a vote! While tracking devices have been used for decades, the release of the Apple AirTag has resulted in a low-cost proliferation of such technology. Rather than using them to locate commonly misplaced items, some people place them in people’s purses or on their vehicles when unaware. Current law is vague on criminal culpability. Senate Bill 159 would make it a misdemeanor of the second degree to use such devices to track another person without consent. Exceptions include law enforcement agencies conducting investigations and parents keeping tabs on their children. Hanover “Sip & Stroll” huge success for downtown
Congratulations Main Street Hanover on a successful Sip & Stroll this past weekend! Main Street Hanover is a nonprofit organization that works to expand the economic capacity of the Hanover community and relies on its community of volunteers to help with programming. If you are interested in learning more about Main Street Hanover’s events or volunteering, please check out their website! New Eagle Scouts |
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