Bill on Community Fundraisers Headed to Governor

Legislation barring the state from citing community groups for selling home-made baked goods received final approval in the Senate on Tuesday.  

Senate Bill 828, known as the "Pie Bill," would eliminate the ability of the Department of Agriculture to cite non-profit community groups such as volunteer fire companies, churches, and school booster clubs for selling home-baked food at fundraisers.   This legislation was introduced the after the Department cited a Beaver County church for selling homemade baked goods as a part of a Lenten fish fry.

SB 828 is now before the Governor for final approval.

Senate approves teen driver distraction bill 

Legislation aimed at reducing the number of teen driver distractions highlighted the Senate’s action the week of May 24th, according to Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40). 

The Senate passed House Bill 67, which includes the following provisions:

• Prohibits the use of cell phones and texting by those with a learner’s permit or junior driver’s license.  The bill makes the use of wireless communications device a secondary offense, carrying a fine of $100.
• Restricts a junior driver for the first six months after issuance of the junior driver’s license, to driving a vehicle with no more than one passenger under 18 years of age, who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family unless the junior driver is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  
• Makes enforcement of seat belt requirements for all passengers and drivers under the age of 18 a primary offense.

HB 67 now returns to the House for concurrence. 

Senators Unveil Bipartisan "Methadone Accountability Package"

A bipartisan group of lawmakers and advocates today unveiled a legislative package overhauling Pennsylvania’s methadone treatment laws to increase fiscal accountability and safety, and reduce the unlawful use of methadone.

The 8-bill Methadone Accountability Package would:

• Senate Bill 1293 would require a review of all methadone-related deaths, and development of best practices to prevent future deaths.
• Senate Bill 1294, the Methadone Addiction Prevention and Treatment Act, would provide for the safe use of methadone to treat heroin and other opiate addictions.
• Senate Bill 1376 would implement diversion control and dosing standards.
• Senate Bill 1377 would establish clinic standards to prevent methadone-related highway accidents.
• Senate Bill 1378 would make it a crime to drive under the influence of more than the prescribed dose of methadone.
• Senate Bill 1382 would require a narcotic treatment plan with a one-year limit with an additional six months if progressing toward a full recovery.
• Senate Bill 1383 would require individuals to receive methadone treatment at a clinic closest to their residence.
• Senate Resolution 348 would require a performance audit of the state’s methadone treatment and transportation program.

The National Drug Intelligence Center reported a 109 percent increase in the unlawful diversion of methadone from 2003-2007.  The National Center for Health Statistics found that, from 1999-2005, the number of poisoning deaths involving methadone increased 468 percent, and the rate of methadone deaths in younger individuals (age 15 to 24) increased eleven-fold.

 

Contact:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-6538