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Legislative Accomplishments, Updated December 2006
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 35 of 2002 - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Act - Requires all public school districts to implement an IPM Plan by January 1, 2003 in accordance with Department of Agriculture policy. (Senate Bill 705) The pesticide notification provisions originally contained in SB 705 were approved in House Bill 1289 and signed into law as Act 36 of 2002. -- Act 103 of 2001 - Dog & Cat Protection Act - Prohibits the sale of fur, skin or hair of a dog or cat or its use in a product. (Senate Bill 280) -- Act 27 of 1997 - Dog Purchaser Protection Act (Puppy Lemon Law) - Protects consumers who purchase an unhealthy dog at a pet store by requiring a refund, a replacement of the dog or a reimbursement for veterinary fees. (Senate Bill 182) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Greyhound Racing Prohibited - Sen. Greenleaf amended the language from his legislation, SB 93, into HB 832, which makes it a misdemeanor of the first degree for a person to hold, conduct or operate a greyhound race for public exhibition and for monetary remuneration. (Act 36 of 2004) -- Live Animals as Prizes Prohibited - Amended a provision into HB 689, which makes clear that no live animal may be sold in conjunction with the operation of a lottery or contest. (Act 157 of 1998) -- Assessment of Agricultural Easements - Provides the lowest allowable assessment for farmland which is subject to an agricultural conservation easement. ** (A House Bill, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1377, was signed into law as Act 91 of 1994.) Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 13 - Designated January 26, 1999, as Service and Therapy Dog Recognition Day. **Adopted, January 26, 1999. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 545 - Land Bank - Allows a local government, with the approval of the voters, to designate all or part of their realty transfer tax revenue to acquire open space for purposes of conservation, recreation and agriculture, or to establish an affordable housing program. (Senate Local Government Committee) -- Senate Bill 773 - Simulcasting Greyhound Racing - Makes it a misdemeanor of the first degree for a person to transmit or receive interstate or intrastate simulcasting of a greyhound race for commercial purposes. ** (Passed the Senate on March 14, 2006 unanimously but died in the House Judiciary Committee.) -- Senate Bill 1252 - Puppy Lemon Law amendment – Makes numerous revisions to the Puppy Lemon Law as suggested by the Attorney General's Office which will further strengthen the law. (Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee) Honors and Awards -- Recipient of Pennsylvania Citizens Against Greyhound Racing Award for passage of his legislation protecting greyhounds in Pennsylvania (2004). -- Recipient of the 1997 Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network (PLAN) "Humane Legislator of the Year" Award. BANKING AND INSURANCE | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 207 of 2002 - Credit Union Code amendments - Provides state credit unions parity with national credit unions. (Senate Bill 1222) -- Act 51 of 1998 - Pennsylvania Securities Commission - Increases the salaries of Securities Commission members up to $28,500 for chairman and $26,000 for other commission members. (Senate Bill 429) -- Act 126 of 1990 - Liens - Helps lenders in their ability to collect on defaults (priority liens). (Senate Bill 693) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Medical Savings Accounts - An employer or individual may set up a tax-free account for medical expenses. ** (House Bill 1468, a bill similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 1132, was signed into law as Act 179 of 1996.) -- Mother & Newborn Child Health Services - Requires health insurers to provide 48 hour maternity coverage. ** (House Bill 1977, a bill similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 1237, was signed into law as Act 85 of 1996.) -- Credit Unions - Exempt credit unions from the licensing requirements of the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law. ** (House Bill 2536, a bill similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 340, was signed into law as Act 79 of 1996.) Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 50 - Special task force to review pending property tax relief legislation. **Adopted, June 30, 1981. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 76 - Medical Malpractice: Serious Injury - Limits medical malpractice lawsuits to cases involving death, serious impairment of bodily function, or permanent disfigurement. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 77 - Medical Malpractice: P-SNIP - Provides equitable apportionment of assigned risk cases among all vehicle insurers based on market share in the state. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 78 - Medical Malpractice: Experience Rating - Requires the Insurance Department to establish standards that medical malpractice insurers would follow in developing a rating system based on the experience of health care providers. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 79 - Medical Malpractice: Insurance Opt Out - Permits doctors to opt out of the $1 million mandated medical malpractice insurance requirement. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 80 - Medical Malpractice: Four equal installments - Permits doctors to pay annual CAT Fund surcharge in four equal installments. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 83 - Expand Health Insurance Coverage: adultBasic plus - Expands the existing adultBasic program so that individuals and small business employers (2 to 50 employees) may purchase this insurance coverage at the Insurance Department's cost. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 84 - Expand Health Insurance Coverage: No-Mandate Health Insurance Plans - Increases the availability of health insurance coverage by having the Insurance Department develop various standardized "basic" health insurance plans that insurers may offer to individuals and small employers (2 to 100 employees) that, in whole or in part, do not offer or provide state-mandated health benefits. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 85 - Expand Health Insurance Coverage: Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives - Allows small employers to band together via a health insurance purchasing cooperative so that they gain the same administrative efficiencies and purchasing clout as larger employers. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) -- Senate Bill 338 - Rehabilitation of Insurance Company - Requires Senate confirmation of a special deputy; competitive bidding of any legal services and requires the Insurance Commissioner to file a quarterly report with the Legislature regarding rehabilitation. (Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) Honors and Awards -- Recipient of the 2003 Pennsylvania Credit Union Association Keystone Award for his work as prime sponsor of legislation that places state charter credit unions on equal footing with federally chartered credit unions. BUSINESS AND LABOR RELATIONS | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 34 of 2001 - Associations Code revisions - Makes various changes to sections of Title 54 relating to fictitious and corporate names. (Senate Bill 215) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Act 80 of 2005 - Unemployment Compensation Law: eliminate offset of Social Security - Eliminates the 50 percent offset of Social Security pensions when calculating unemployment compensation benefit payments. This measure was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 219. -- Act 23 of 2000 - Capital Stock/Franchise: Minimum Tax - Eliminated the minimum capital stock/franchise tax which was $200. This measure was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB418, which reduced the minimum tax to $50. Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 257 – Designating the month of April 2006 as Landscape Architecture Month in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, March 29, 2006. -- Senate Resolution 11 - Designated the year 1999 as Landscape Architecture Year in the Commonwealth. **Adopted, January 25, 1999. -- Senate Resolution 95 - Designating the month of February 1998 as Landscape Architecture Month in the Commonwealth. **Adopted, November 19, 1997. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 204 - Self-employment Tax - Allows a self-employed individual to deduct one- half of the self-employment tax from their Personal Income Tax. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 392 - Limited Liability Companies - Provides general partners in a Limited Liability Partnership the same protection from liability as shareholders in a professional corporation, thus giving the owners of large and small professional practices the same liability protection. ** (Re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 2, 2005 after first consideration but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 393 - Nonprofit Corporation Law: PBA Title 15 Task Force - Provides for a consistent body of statutory law governing the organization and operation of nonprofit corporations. ** (Re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 2, 2005 after first consideration but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 504 - Child-Care Tax Credit Act - Provides employers with a tax credit if they provide a workplace child- care program or financial support for an off-site child-care program. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 563 - Joint and Several Liability - Abolishes joint liability for any defendant whose percentage share of liability is less than the percentage share of fault attributed to the plaintiff. The plaintiff may not recover damages from such a defendant in excess of that defendant's share of fault. ** (Re-committed to the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2006 after second consideration but died in committee.) Miscellaneous -- Member of the House Labor Relations Committee from 1977 to 1978. Honors and Awards -- The National Federation of Independent Business' Guardian of Small Business Award (2003) for outstanding voting record on behalf of small business owners in 2001-02 General Assembly. -- Selected Man of the Year by the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce. CHILDREN ISSUES | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 43 of 2005 - Child Protective Services Law amendment - Provides for the investigation of suspected child abuse involving children who are residents of Pennsylvania but where the alleged incidents of child abuse occurred in another state. (SB 86) -- Act 87 of 2004 - Child Witness Testimony: Implementing Legislation - Implements the constitutional amendment which was adopted by the voters on November 4, 2003 allowing a child witness to testify via closed circuit television. (SB 979) -- Pamphlet Laws Resolution #1; - Constitutional Amendment child victim/witness testimony - Redoes constitutional amendment to allow children to testify by video in criminal cases in response to Commonwealth Court invalidating 1995 referendum. Passed Sessions of 2002 & 2003 and approved by electorate, Nov. 4, 2003. (Senate Bills 211 and 55) -- Act 86 of 2002 - Statute of Limitations (Child Sexual Abuse) - Enables a victim of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil action until 12 years after age 18 (Senate Bill 212). The measure also extends the criminal statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses up to 12 years after the offense or 12 years after the child turns age 18. (Senate Bill 415) -- Act 14 of 2000 - Sexual exploitation of children - Prohibits the procurement of children for sexual exploitation; a second degree felony. (Senate Bill 383) -- Pamphlet Law Resolution #2; June 9, 1998 - Senate Bill 555 (Joint Resolution) - Constitutional amendment - Commonwealth right to jury trial - Gives the state the same right to a jury trial in a criminal case as the accused. ** (An identical measure was passed in the 1996-97 session. The electorate overwhelmingly approved this measure as a referendum in the November 1998 general election.) -- Act 161 of 1996 - Child Witness legislation - Implements the constitutional amendment which was adopted by the voters on November 7, 1995 allowing a child witness to testify via closed circuit television. (Senate Bill 1322) -- Act 10 of 1995 (Special Session) - Definition of Rape: Child Ten or Younger - Eliminates the requirement that force must be used by the perpetrator in order for it to be rape. Instead, rape conviction will turn on whether there was consent. Makes having sexual intercourse with a child ten years of age or younger by a person 16 years of age or older a crime of rape which is a first-degree felony. (Special Session Senate Bill 2) -- Act 9 of 1991 - Juvenile Detention Protection - Protects alleged dependent and delinquent juveniles in municipal detention from being held with adult detainees and from self- inflicted harm by requiring constant supervision. Places time limits for detaining a juvenile. (Senate Bill 304) -- Act 43 of 1990 - Enhancement of Children's Trust Fund - Providing increased funding for the Fund by placing a $10 surcharge on divorce complaints rather than divorce decrees. The Fund provides grants for community-based programs and services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. (Senate Bill 848) -- Act 64 of 1989 - Incest - Makes incest a felony of the second degree. (Part of Abortion Control Act) (Senate Bill 369) -- Act 80 of 1987 - Background Checks - Provides for provisional supervised hiring of child care personnel pending background check; and adds funeral directors to the list of mandated reporters of suspected child abuse. (Senate Bill 140) -- Act 14 of 1986 - Pennsylvania Special Court Consideration for Child Victim and Witness Act - Provides for use of anatomically correct dolls, advises courts to utilize child advocates and permits special considerations by the court in recognition of a child's size and maturity. Allows for the use of closed circuit television testimony when a child is too traumatized to testify. (Senate Bill 176) -- Act 49 of 1985 - Statute of Limitations on Child Abuse - Extending the period of legal recourse for abused children by extending the statute of limitations in crimes against those under 18. (Senate Bill 183) -- Act 14 of 1985 - Pennsylvania Missing Children's Act - Requiring immediate law enforcement investigation upon receipt of a missing child report and requiring the filing of missing child information into the state computer network. (Senate Bill 184) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Child-care at Courthouses - Allows individual counties to increase the court cost by $5 to pay for the daily operation costs of child drop-in care facilities either on the premises or at a close proximity to the court house. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 386, were amended into SB 958, which was signed into law as Act 105 of 2000.) -- Child Restraint Fund - Inserted an amendment into House Bill 963 which removed the cap on the Child Passenger Restraint Fund so that all monies collected from child safety seat violations will go toward buying more child safety seats for a loaner program. (Act 38 of 1999) -- Drug and Alcohol Dependency of minors - Allows parents to commit their drug or alcohol dependent minor child to a treatment facility without the child's consent. ** (House Bill 679, which was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, Senate Bill 445, was signed into law as Act 53 of 1997.) -- Special Session Senate Bill 11 (Joint Resolution) - Constitutional amendment: Videotaping Child's Testimony - allows children to testify in court by closed circuit television. (Became Pamphlet Law Resolution #1 on March 15, 1995). ** (An identical measure, SB 218, was passed the previous session. The electorate overwhelmingly approved this measure as a referendum in the November 1995 general election.) -- Child Abuse - Initiated legislation in past sessions (SB 469 of 1991-92 session) that would expand the definition of child abuse to include threatening behavior. In 1994, the Legislature passed House Bill 1001, an overhaul of the Child Protective Services Law, which contained an expanded definition of child abuse. (Act 151 of 1994) -- Missing Children Registration - Initiated legislation that requires local law enforcement to report all missing children to the school district and the Bureau of Vital Records. The schools and Bureau will flag the child's school records and birth certificate should someone request this information. ** (A similar bill, H.B.1665, was signed into law as Act 106 of 1990.) Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 331 – Designating July 23, 2006, as Parents' Day in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 29, 2006. -- Senate Resolution 290 - Recognizing the week of September 27 through October 3, 2004, as Equal Parents' Week in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 29, 2004. -- Senate Resolution 118 - Recognizing the week of September 22 through 28, 2003, as Equal Parents' Week in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, July 7, 2003. -- Senate Resolution 41 - Designating the week of April 7-13, 1991, as Week of the Young Children in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, April 2, 1991. -- Senate Resolution 144 - Urging the creation of a task force on children's issues. **Adopted, October 1, 1984. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 74 - Child Custody Law: Joint State Government Commission - Rewrites the child custody law based on the recommendations of the Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law. ** (Passed the Senate on Oct. 18, 2005 and re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 391 - Mercury-free vaccines - Amends the Childhood Immunization Insurance Act to ban the use of vaccines containing mercury to pregnant mothers or children less than three years of age. (Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee) -- Senate Bill 489 - Missing Children - Establishes a Missing Children Information Clearinghouse in State Police and creates a missing children program in schools. (Senate Aging and Youth Committee) -- Senate Bill 492 - Child & Dependent Care Expenses - Excludes unreimbursed child and dependent care expenses as income for income tax purposes. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 637 - Adoption Act – Revises the adoption law based on the recommendations of the Joint State Government Advisory Committee on Adoption Law. (Senate Judiciary Committee) CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 164 of 2006 - Floral Transaction & Consumer Protection Act - Prohibits floral businesses from misrepresenting their geographic locations in telephone directories. (Senate Bill 198) -- Act 94 of 2001 - Automobile Lemon Law - Expands the Lemon Law to include leased vehicles. (Senate Bill 286) -- Act 81 of 2000 - Cosmetology Law amendment - Permits a licensed cosmetologist to manage a shop located within a special care facility. (Senate Bill 1219) -- Act 27 of 1997 - Dog Purchaser Protection Act (Puppy Lemon Law) - Protects consumers who purchase an unhealthy dog at a pet store by requiring a refund, a replacement of the dog or a reimbursement for veterinary fees. (Senate Bill 182) -- Act 4 of 1996 - Amusement Ride Accidents - Strengthens accident reporting requirements. An accident report must be filed with the state if medical treatment is necessary. Closes a loophole which lead to underreporting of amusement accidents. (Senate Bill 725) -- Act 160 of 1994 - Expanded Function Dental Assistants - Provides for the certification of EFDA's and permits dentists to delegate functions to staff. (Senate Bill 1752) -- Act 107 of 1992 - Amusement Ride Safety - Establishes an Amusement Ride Safety Board and regulates all bungee jumping events in the Commonwealth. (Senate Bill 515) -- Act 128 of 1990 - Pensions - To protect pensions in bankruptcy proceedings. (Senate Bill 1535) -- Act 69 of 1990 - Timeshare/Campgrounds - Provides licensure and disclosure requirements on timeshare/campground membership industry. This measure was part of a House-Senate package that also requires a 5-day cancellation option for consumers. (Senate Bill 430) -- Act 87 of 1989 - Health Club Consumer Protection Act - Regulates health clubs providing for a cancellation period and requiring bonding on those clubs which do not limit membership to one year with month-by-month payments. (Senate Bill 134) -- Act 152 of 1986 - Jewelry Appraisals - Requires flat rate appraisal fee for jewelry appraisals and prohibits practices of basing appraisal fees on the value the appraiser assigns to an item. (Senate Bill 734) -- Act 151 of 1986 - Bad Checks - Increases damages in civil actions on bad checks. (Senate Bill 408) -- Act 191 of 1984 - Sale and resale of tickets - Regulating sale & resale of tickets to entertainment events. (Senate Bill 457) -- Act 81 of 1984 - Amusement Ride Inspection Act - Establishes an inspection system for amusement rides in Pennsylvania and requires liability insurance on all rides. (Senate Bill 298) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Senate Bill 215 - Telemarketer Registration Act revision: Cell Phones - Extends the benefits of Pennsylvania's do-not-call list law to wireless telephone subscribers. ** (A similar measure was introduced in the House, House Bill 276, which was approved by the Legislature and signed into law as Act 22 of 2003.) -- Senate Bill 1221 - Unsolicited Fax, E-Mail or Wireless Advertisement Law - Prohibits the unsolicited advertising by FAX machine, e-mail or wireless text. ** (A similar measure was introduced in the House, House Bill 2614, which was approved by the Legislature and signed into law as Act 222 of 2002.) -- Senate Bill 1113 - Cosmetology Law amendment - Amends the Cosmetology Law by removing the requirement for licensed managers in cosmetology shops. ** (An identical measure was introduced in the House, House Bill 2020, which was approved by the Legislature and signed into law as Act 98 of 2002.) -- Senate Bill 416 - Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls - Establishes a statewide residential do-not sales call list that telemarketers are prohibited from calling. ** (An identical measure was introduced in the House, House Bill 1469, which was approved by the Legislature and signed into law as Act 24 of 2002.) -- Senate Bill 744 - Caller ID - Requires all telephone companies to make Caller ID display units available to customers at a reasonable fee. ** (An identical measure was adopted by the Legislature and signed into law as Act 83 of 1993. Act 83 provides individuals and businesses with the option of a caller ID service. (SB 860)) -- Senate Bill 643 - Chiropractic Students - Ensures that students enrolled at the Pennsylvania College of Straight Chiropractic in Horsham, Pennsylvania, will be able to take state licensing examinations. ** (An identical measure was introduced in the House, House Bill 1416, which was approved by the Legislature and signed into law as Act 63 of 1993.) -- Automobile Lemon Law - Originated first Automobile Lemon Law bill in Commonwealth, although watered-down House version was passed into law. (Act 28 of 1984) Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 70 - Fake Airbags - Makes it a felony of the third degree to knowingly purchase, sell, install or reinstall a fake airbag or junk-filled airbag compartment on a vehicle. ** (Laid on the table on May 4, 2005 and died in the Senate.) -- Senate Bill 81 - Rent Increases limited to seniors in Manufacturer Housing - Amends the Mobile Home Park Rights Act to limit the amount of rent increase that seniors must pay who own a manufactured home and live in a manufactured home community. ** (Re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee on September 27, 2006 but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 200 - Landscape Architects - Amends the Landscape Architects' Registration Law to enhance the continuing education requirements as well as remove an obsolete provision. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 202 - Motor Vehicle Lemon Law: Motorboats - Extends the lemon law provisions to motorboats. ** (Re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Oct. 17, 2005 after first consideration but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 337 - Unfair Trade Practice: Towing Services - Helps protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices relating to towing and storage services in the Commonwealth. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 339 - Credit/Debit Card blocking - Establishes limitations on credit card and debit card blocking by the retail industry or a provider of travel services. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 346 - Nursing Home Administrators: Enhanced Education Requirements - Requires a higher level of academic preparation for individuals wishing to apply and sit for the nursing home administrator examination. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 348 - Unfair trade practice: Window Tinting - Makes it an unfair trade practice not to disclose that alterations to a motor vehicle, including window tinting, will put the motor vehicle in violation of state safety inspection laws. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 627 - Dating Services Act - Requires certain consumer protection (i.e., 3-day cancellation period) and notice provisions to be included in dating service contracts. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 931 - Regulation of Wireless Telephone Companies - Provides for the regulation of wireless telephone companies by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) -- Senate Bill 1364 - Home Inspectors Licensing Board - Amends the PA Home Inspector Law creating a board & licensure requirements for home inspectors. (Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee) Miscellaneous Member of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. EDUCATION | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 35 of 2002 - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Act - Requires all public school districts to implement an IPM Plan by January 1, 2003 in accordance with Department of Agriculture policy. (Senate Bill 705). The pesticide notification provisions originally contained in SB 705 were approved in House Bill 1289 and signed into law as Act 36 of 2002. -- Act 10A of 2000 - Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research - Appropriated $860,000 for fiscal year 2000-01. (SB 1374) -- Act 26A of 1998 - Berean Training and Industrial School - Appropriated $1,254,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. (SB 1321) -- Act 24A of 1998 - Drexel University - Appropriated $6,623,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. (SB 1319) -- Act 23A of 1998 - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Appropriated $5,222,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. (SB 1318) -- Act 93 of 1989 - Prohibits use of steroids in scholastic athletics - Provides penalties for use and for dispensing except for valid medical reasons. (Senate Bill 454) -- Act 175 of 1982 - Permits the release of public school children for religious instruction for up to 36 hours per school year. (Senate Bill 706) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Basic Education Funding: 3.5% Minimum -The 2006-07 state budget included a basic education funding formula which guaranteed each school district a minimum increase of 3.5%. ** (HB 185, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1278, which required a 5% minimum increase, was signed into law as Act 114 of 2006.) -- Asthma: Self-administration of inhalers - Allows students to possess and self-administer asthma inhalers while on school property. ** (HB 1113, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 852, was signed into law as Act 187 of 2004.) -- Criminal background checks - Expands the scope of the criminal background check required of prospective school employees. The bill would require a FBI check as well for prospective school employees. ** (A less comprehensive measure, HB 204, but similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 1470, was signed into law as Act 153 of 2002.) -- High School Certificates - Gives local school boards the sole authority to determine what will be affixed or denoted on a student's diploma and transcript (SB 1344). ** (The State Board of Education adopted a rule which maintains the local school board's authority to determine what, if anything, is affixed on a student's diploma. (2002)) -- Public School Retirees' Health Insurance Act - Increases health insurance premium assistance for retired school employees from $55 per month to $100 per month. ** (HB 26, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 281 (which raised the assistance to $150 per month), was signed into law as Act 9 of 2001.) -- Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research - Appropriated $860,000 for fiscal year 2001-02. ** (HB 1186, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 726, was signed into law as Act 8A of 2001.) -- Ban Reinstatement of Certain Teachers - Amends a provision into the Professional Educator Discipline Act, House Bill 2189, which was signed into law as Act 123 of 2000, to prevent the reinstatement of a school employee if the indictment was for a sexual offense involving a minor. -- Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research - Appropriated $860,000 for fiscal year 1999-00. ** (HB 1000, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB747, was signed into law as Act 35A of 1999.) -- Walking Arm Attachment for School Buses - Requires every school bus to be equipped with a walking arm attachment on the front bumper. ** (HB 433, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 780, was signed into law as Act 151 of 1998.) -- Tuition Assistance for Dependent Children of Deceased Police Officers - Provides free tuition for college to dependent children of firefighters, law enforcement officers and other public safety officers. ** (HB 2024, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 463, was signed into law as Act 129 of 1998.) -- Jefferson Medical College (Tay-Sachs disease) - Appropriated $56,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. ** (HB 2375, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB1334, was signed into law as Act 18A of 1998.) -- St. Christopher's Hospital - Appropriated $791,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. ** (HB2373, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB1331, was signed into law as Act 16A of 1998.) -- Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research - Appropriated $860,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. ** (HB 2369, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB1326, was signed into law as Act 12A of 1998.) -- Central Penn Oncology Group (PSU Hershey) - Appropriated $143,000 for fiscal year 1998-99. ** (HB 2368, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB1328, was signed into law as Act 11A of 1998.) -- Temple University - Appropriated over $147 million for fiscal year 1998-99. ** (HB2360, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB1313, was signed into law as Act 8A of 1998.) -- Disruptive Students - Requires the Education Department to establish a grant program to encourage school districts to develop alternative forms of education (i.e. regional facilities) for chronically disruptive students. ** (HB 8, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 785, was signed into law as Act 30 of 1997.) -- Truancy - Increases the fine for truancy to $25 for the first offense and $300 for subsequent offenses. The issue of truancy was addressed in the 1995-96 special session through Senate Bill 98 which increases the penalty for truancy and imposes additional penalties on the parent or child. ** (SSSB 98, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 786 was signed into law as Act 29 of 1995.) -- Expulsion of Students - Requires a 1-year expulsion for students who bring a weapon to school. However, gives superintendent discretion on a case-by-case basis. ** (The provision regarding 1-year expulsion of a student for bringing a weapon to school contained in Sen. Greenleaf's bill, S.B.627, was passed through House Bill 20, which was signed into law as Act 26 of 1995.) -- Health Insurance Premium Assistance - Extends premium assistance program for retired public school employees who are 65 years old and have 15 years of service. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's measure, Senate Bill 674, were amended into a COLA bill, Senate Bill 974, for state and public school employees, which was signed into law as Act 29 of 1994.) -- Frozen Annuity (Retired School Teachers) - Allows a retired public school employee who elects to return to public school service to combine his two periods of service for proposes of calculating his retirement benefits. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's measure, Senate Bill 1084, were amended into a COLA bill, Senate Bill 974, for state and public school employees, which was signed into law as Act 29 of 1994). -- Straight Chiropractic College - Reinstates the 5-year grace period so that Pennsylvania College can go through the process of reapplying for accreditation. ** (An identical measure was introduced in the House, House Bill 2568, which was signed into law as Act 62 of 1994.) -- Drug and alcohol education to school children - Initiated legislation in 1989 which would provide state-funded K through 12 drug and alcohol education to school children. ** (Rep. Jarolin took Sen. Greenleaf's language (SB 1201) and amended it into a bill, HB 1810, which was signed into law as Act 211 of 1990.) -- Sidearm stop signal on school buses - This measure was a key component of Sen. Greenleaf's school bus safety bill (SB 510) in 1987-88. ** (It was adopted as part of HB 1452, which was signed into law as Act 163 of 1988.) Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 295 - Declaring the week of October 20 through 26, 2002, as Chemistry Week in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, October 9, 2002. -- Senate Resolution 129 - Declaring the week of November 4 through 10, 2001, as Chemistry Week in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, October 22, 2001. -- Senate Resolution 223 - Declaring the week of November 5 through 11, 2000, as Chemistry Week in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, October 11, 2000. -- Senate Resolution 222 - Declaring the week November of 1 through 7, 1998, as Chemistry Week in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, September 29, 1998. -- Senate Resolution 88 - Declaring the week of November 2 through 8, 1997, as Chemistry Week in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, October 22, 1997. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 71 - Bullying in Schools - Requires each school district to develop and implement a policy to reduce bullying in school. ** (Re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee after first consideration. Content of bill amended into HB 377 but died.) -- Senate Bill 212 - School Zone Safety Study Act – Directs the Transportation Department to conduct a study of school zone safety. (Senate Transportation Committee) -- Senate Bill 221 - 30 and out - Extends the 30 and out retirement window for state and public school employees for year 2000 and 2001. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 336 - Office of Safe Schools - Requires the office to collect and disseminate information about substance abuse and school violence. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 352 - Cindy's Law - Requires school districts or IU's to take certain transport safety steps when transporting exceptional children on school buses. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 353 - Anti-hazing law - Extends the anti-hazing law to secondary schools-7th through 12th grades. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 354 - SAFE ACT - Sets up a comprehensive approach to prevent violence in schools. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 355 - Schools Are For Education (SAFE) Pilot Program Act - Sets up pilot program in six school districts to participate in SAFE. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 492 - Child & Dependent Care Expenses - Excludes unreimbursed child and dependent care expenses as income for income tax purposes. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 493 - School-based Child-care Act - Provides grants to public or private schools to promote extended child care in a school setting. (Senate Aging & Youth Committee) -- Senate Bill 540 - Volunteer Firefighters & Emergency Personnel: Educational Assistance and Loan Forgiveness - Establishes an educational assistance and loan forgiveness program for volunteer emergency service personnel. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 541 - Volunteer Firefighters & Emergency Personnel: Volunteer Tuition Credit Program - Establishes a tuition credit program for members of a volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service or voluntary rescue squad who are active and in good standing. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 542 - Volunteer Firefighters & Emergency Personnel: Surviving Spouse - Expands the tuition waiver program to include surviving spouses of deceased firefighters. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 548 - Sales Tax Exemption - Exempts school booster clubs from having to charge sales tax on items they sell. The measure also covers youth sports programs such as Little League. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 549 - Tax Credit for Donated Computer Equipment to Schools - Provides a tax credit up to 50% for corporations that donate computer equipment to schools. (Senate Finance Committee) -- Senate Bill 550 - Kindergartens - Lowers the age to 3 at which a child may be enrolled in kindergarten. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 551 - Educational Reason for Excuse from School - Amends the Public School Code to include an educational reason among the valid excuses for being absent from school. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 552 - Seat Belts on School Bus - Requires every school bus to be equipped with seat belts. (Senate Transportation Committee) -- Senate Bill 705 - Educational Support Services Grant - Revises the Educational Support Services Program by requiring the Department of Education to issue a check payable to both the grant recipient and the qualified provider for tutoring services rendered. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 1017 - Protecting children in route to school from sex offenders - Allows the state to reimburse school districts for the bussing of children, residing within a mile and one half from school, who would otherwise encounter the residences of registered sex offenders when walking to school. (Senate Education Committee) -- Senate Bill 1277 - Pupil Transportation – Shortens the distance a student must reside from school to qualify for bus transportation. (Senate Education Committee) Miscellaneous -- Served as a Member of the Senate Education Committee. Honors and Awards -- Recipient of Mid-Eastern Region PSEA "Friend of Education Award" (April 2006) -- Received "Anti-Bullying" Award from the students of William Tennent High School (2005). -- Recipient of the 2002 Clean Water Fund's Florence Neilson Award for Environmental Leadership for his sponsorship of the Pesticide Notification Act, legislation regulating the use of pesticides in school buildings and on school grounds. ELDERLY | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 169 of 2006 - Advance directives: Joint State Government Commission - Provides for the use of a health care power of attorney to make health care decisions. (Senate Bill 628) -- Act 124 of 1996 - Grandparents Custody and Same Sex Marriages - Allows a court to award custody of a child to the child's grandparents if neither parent is fit to have custody. The bill also outlaws same sex marriages. (Senate Bill 434). Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Expansion - Special Session HB 39 expands the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act by raising the income limits from $15,000 to $35,000 for homeowners. Renters who earn $8,000 or below will receive a maximum rebate of $650, up from $500. ** (SSHB 39, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bills, SB 793 & Special Session Senate Bill 16, which would have raised the income eligibility to $30,000 for both homeowners and renters, was signed into law as Special Session Act 1 of 2006.) -- Unemployment Compensation Law: eliminate offset of Social Security - Eliminates the 50 percent offset of Social Security pensions when calculating unemployment compensation benefit payments. ** (HB163, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's proposal, SB 219, was signed into law as Act 80 of 2005.) -- Expansion of PACE & PACENET Program - Raises the income eligibility limit for the PACE and PACENET Program so that more low to moderate income senior citizens may participate in the subsidized prescription drug program. ** (HB888, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's proposal to expand PACENET, SB 47, was signed into law as Act 37 of 2003.) -- Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Assistance Clearinghouse Act - Establishes a patient prescription drug assistance clearinghouse within the Aging Department to help Pennsylvanians obtain free or low cost drugs offered via patience assistance programs sponsored by drug manufacturers. ** (HB888, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's proposal, SB 94, was signed into law as Act 37 of 2003.) -- Trusts - Clarifies the law on the taxation of transfers of to certain types of trusts. A "living trust" would not be subject to the 2% reality transfer tax under certain circumstances. ** (House Bill 134, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's proposal, SB 549, was signed into law as Act 7 of 1997.) -- Inheritance Tax Exemption (Widow's Tax) - Phase out the 6% inheritance tax on transfers between spouses of property which was not jointly owned (SB 232). Reduce 1% each year till 1998. ** (A similar measure, HB 39, which eliminates the tax effective 1/1/96 was signed into law as Act 21 of 1995.) Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 72 & Special Session Senate Bill 15 - Senior Citizen School Real Property Tax Freeze Act - Exempts homeowners who are at least 65 with an annual income of $40,000 or less from paying increases in their school real property taxes. (SB 72 is in Senate Finance Committee and SS SB 15 was re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee on Nov. 17, 2005 but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 81 - Rent Increases limited to seniors in Manufacturer Housing - Amends the Mobile Home Park Rights Act to limit the amount of rent increase that seniors must pay who own a manufactured home and live in a manufactured home community. ** (Re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee after first consideration but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 547 - Elderly Volunteers - Authorizes the Department of Aging to make grants to programs (e.g., tutoring children, teenage parents) which allow elderly volunteers to work with children. (Senate Aging and Youth Committee) -- Senate Bill 554 - Alzheimer's Disease Program - Establishes a program in the Department of Health to assist Alzheimer's disease patients. The following services would be provided: 1) temporary nursing; 2) day-care centers and 3) diagnostic and evaluation services. (Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee) Honors and Awards -- The Korean Senior Citizens Service Award ENVIRONMENT | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 153 of 1992 - Sale of land - Authorizes the state to sell, at a reduced price, two tracts of land contiguous to the Wissahickon Valley Association Inc., of Montgomery County. (Senate Bill 1405) -- Act 188 of 1990 - Rails-to-Trails - Authorizes DER to acquire and develop abandoned railroad rights of way for public recreational trails. (Senate Bill 640) -- Act 16 of 1984 - Boating/Water Safety Member - Adding a second boating/water safety member to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission to address boating concerns on State waterways. (Senate Bill 152) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Lehigh Water Releases - Helped obtain federal funding to relocate a public access road on top of Francis E. Walter Dam as well as worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to help provide for more water releases from the dam to benefit white water rafting and recreation. (July 2005). -- Revamp of Sewage Facilities Act - Offered an amendment to House Bill 2146, which allowed simultaneous consideration of changes to an official sewage plan by private request to DER and of changes to local zoning ordinance. The bill was signed into law as Act 149 of 1994. -- Condemnation of land for recreational purposes - Initiated legislation to amend the Second Class Township Code to allow for condemnation of land for recreational purposes. Offered language as an amendment to HB 1058, which was signed into law as Act 49 of 1991. -- Tohickon Water Releases: Negotiated with DER to release water from the dam at Nockamixon State Park to Tohickon Creek for white water rafting. Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 298 - Urging the Congress of the United States to provide for a domestic energy policy that ensures an adequate supply of natural gas. **Adopted, November 16, 2004. -- Senate Resolution 211 - Memorializing Prime Minister of Canada and Canadian Parliament to stop the slaughter of infant harp seals. **Adopted, November 18, 1980. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 543 - Water Resources Inventory - Requires DCNR to inventory rivers, streams and lakes to identify recreational opportunities. (Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee) -- Senate Bill 544 - Biking & Jogging Trails - Authorizes DCNR to designate, construct and maintain bicycle and jogging paths in State parks of 1,000 + acres. (Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee) Miscellaneous -- Serves as a Member of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. Honors and Awards -- Honored as the Conservation Legislator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation (1991). -- Selected by Sierra Club as Legislator most interested in environmental issues. JUDICIARY | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 169 of 2006 - Advance directives: Joint State Government Commission - Provides for the use of a health care power of attorney to make health care decisions. (Senate Bill 628) -- Act 109 of 2006 - Collection of Child Support Obligation – Provides, in part, for the interception of workers compensation awards and other insurance payouts if individual is overdue in child support. (Senate Bill 1205) -- Act 100 of 2006 - Interstate Compact Application Fee - Imposes an application fee on offenders who apply to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole to serve their parole out-of-state through the Interstate Compact for the Supervision of Adult Offenders. (Senate Bill 775) -- Act 98 of 2006 - Uniform Trust Code - Codifies the Pennsylvania Uniform Trust Code as suggested by the Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estates Laws. (Senate Bill 660) -- Act 43 of 2005 - Child Protective Services Law amendment - Provides for the investigation of suspected child abuse involving children who are residents of Pennsylvania but where the alleged incidents of child abuse occurred in another state. (Senate Bill 86) -- Act 4 of 2005 - Divorce Code - Makes corrective amendment to 2004 Act No. 175 pertaining to the Divorce Code. (Senate Bill 124) -- Act 214 of 2004 - Court Approval for Name Change - Codifies the procedure that must be used when requesting a court to approve a name change. (Senate Bill 1032) -- Act 207 of 2004 - Magisterial District Judge - Changes the name of "district justices" or "justices of the peace" to "magisterial district judges." Recommended by Pennsylvania Supreme Court and Special Court Judges Assoc. (Senate Bill 904) -- Act 175 of 2004 - Divorce Code amendments - Provides comprehensive revisions to the Divorce Code recommended by the Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law. (Senate Bill 95) -- Act 152 of 2004 - Deficiency Judgment Act amendment & Megan's Law amendment - Addresses a problem that occurs when real property collateral securing the same commercial loan is located in more than one Pennsylvania county. This legislation designates the court in one of the counties as the "deficiency court." Also, it adds the offense of "institutional sexual assault" to the list of crimes for which an offender must register his whereabouts. (Senate Bill 92; provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, Senate Bill 903, were also amended into it.) -- Act 87 of 2004 - Child Witness Testimony: Implementing Legislation - Implements the constitutional amendment which was adopted by the voters on November 4, 2003 allowing a child witness to testify via closed circuit television. (Senate Bill 979) -- Act 54 of 2004 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles - Establishes a new compact for managing the movement of adjudicated youth, the return of non-adjudicated runaway youth, and the return of youth to states where they were charged with delinquent acts. (Senate Bill 319) -- Pamphlet Laws Resolution #1; Constitutional Amendment child victim/witness testimony – Amends constitution to allow children to testify by video in criminal cases in response to the Supreme Court invalidating 1995 referendum. Passed Sessions of 2002 & 2003 and approved by electorate, Nov. 4, 2003. (Senate Bills 211 and 55) -- Act 215 of 2002 - Additional judges and warrantless search of juveniles - Adds two judges to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas and authorizes juvenile probation officers to conduct warrantless searches of person and property of juveniles under supervision of probation officers. (Senate Bills 1452 and 224) -- Act 127 of 2002 - Compensation of multi-county investigating grand jury - Amends the Judicial Code to enact recommendations contained in Investigating Grand Jury Report #1 like increased fee, per diem meal expenses and travel allowance. (Senate Bill 138) -- Act 109 of 2002 - Post-Conviction DNA testing - Permits an inmate to request that a DNA test be performed on evidence to show innocence. (Senate Bill 589) -- Act 86 of 2002 - Statute of Limitations (Child Sexual Abuse) - Enables a victim of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil action until 12 years after age 18. (Senate Bill 212) The measure also extends the criminal statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses up to 12 years after the offense or 12 years after the child turns age 18. (Senate Bill 415) -- Act 57 of 2002 - Interstate Compact: Supervision of Probationers and Parolees - Repeals the current outdated compact with a modern version and a national governing commission which deals with movement of parolees between states. (Senate Bill 391) -- Act 50 of 2002 - Pennsylvania Uniform Principal and Income Act - Makes numerous revisions to the Decedents' Estates Laws based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estates Laws. (Senate Bill 1014) -- Act 113 of 2000 - Good Samaritan - Provides civil immunity to a "Good Samaritan" who comes to the aid of a victim of a violent crime. (Senate Bill 844) -- Act 84 of 2000 - Admissibility of Out-of-Court Statements - Permits child victim/or witness to testify out-of-court and be admissible as evidence in civil proceedings. (Senate Bill 1299) -- Act 59 of 2000 - Standby Guardianship Act amendment - Amends the Standby Guardianship Law to clarify that the legal custodian of child may designate a standby guardian for that child. (Senate Bill 1275) -- Act 63 of 2000 - Theft of Identity & Ignition Interlock System - Makes it a crime to assume someone else's identity and provides for restitution. Also, a provision was added to implement a federal requirement for an ignition interlock system for drunk drivers. ** (Senate Bill 849; a companion bill, HB945, which spells out the crime and penalties for identity theft, was also signed into law as Act 21 of 2000) -- Act 18 of 2000 - Megan's law revisions - Strengthens existing law which requires sex offenders to register when returning to community. (Senate Bill 380) -- Act 14 of 2000 - Sexual exploitation of children - Prohibits the procurement of children for sexual exploitation; a second degree felony. (Senate Bill 383) -- Act 39 of 1999 - General Powers of Attorney and Misc. Probate Code amendments - Provides greater protection against misuse of powers of attorney. (Senate Bill 173) -- Act 28 of 1999 - Prudent Investor Rule - Fiduciaries investing must comply with the prudent investor rule. (Senate Bill 174) -- Act 144 of 1998 - Deficiency Judgment Act amendments - Provides that value of property acquired by the lender at the execution sale be applied first to non-recourse portion of the loan. (Senate Bill 1262) -- Act 143 of 1998 - Interstate Transfer of Parolees & Transmission of Records to Parole Board - Establishes stricter standards for accepting parolees into Pennsylvania from other states. Also, it requires certain records to be transmitted from county courts to state parole board. ** (SB 1239; provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1516, were also amended into it. NOTE: Rep. Gannon's bill, HB 2258, contains the other part of interstate parole legislation.) -- Act 141 of 1998 - Limitations on Trustee Powers & Probate Code Miscellaneous Amendments - Imposes limits on the exercise of trustee powers. Also, makes various changes to Probate Code as recommended by Joint State Government Commission's Task Force on Decedent's Estates Law. ** (SB 1205; Provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1359, was also amended into it.) -- Act 103 of 1998 - Standby Guardianship Act - Provides for a legal procedure for a terminally ill patient to designate a trusted relative to standby and be available to act as a child's guardian. (Senate Bill 1051) -- Act 84 of 1998 - Prison Litigation Reform & Collection of Court Costs - Limits inmate law suits, requires inmates to pay filing fees when possible, authorizes the dismissal of frivolous law suits, and limits the available remedies for prison conditions litigation. Also, permits counties to contract out to collect court costs and fines. (SB 640; provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 959, were also amended into it.) -- Act 67 of 1998 - Audio-Video Arraignments - Permits a defendant to be arraigned by two-way electronic audio-visual communication. (Senate Bill 770) -- Act 35 of 1998 - Model Expedited Eviction of Drug Traffickers Act amendment - Gives the Court of Common Pleas jurisdiction over cases where an individual is being evicted due to drug-related offenses. (Senate Bill 769) -- Act 3 of 1998 - Fingerprinting Juveniles - Requires a child found to be delinquent to have their fingerprints and photographs taken. (Senate Bill 641) -- Pamphlet Law Resolution #2; June 9, 1998 - Senate Bill 555 (Joint Resolution) - Constitutional amendment - Commonwealth right to jury trial - Gives the state the same right to a jury trial in a criminal case as the accused. ** (An identical measure was passed in the 1996-97 session. The electorate overwhelmingly approved this measure as a referendum in the November 1998 general election.) -- Act 32 of 1997 - Judicial Computer Project - Provides for the second phase of automating the courts. This bill increases court filing fees to automate the court of common pleas. ** (Partially addressed through HB 86 which was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's proposal, SB 778.) -- Act 2 of 1997 - Additional Judges - Provides for additional judges for several of the county courts of common pleas. (Senate Bill 178) -- Act 161 of 1996 - Child Witness legislation - Implements the constitutional amendment which was adopted by the voters on November 7, 1995 allowing a child witness to testify via closed circuit television. (Senate Bill 1322) -- Act 136 of 1996 - Charitable Instrument Act Revisions - Permits revisions to charitable trusts if needed to ensure compliance with Federal tax laws. Recommended by Task Force on Decedents' Estates Laws. (Senate Bill 598) -- Act 104 of 1996 - Limitations of Time, Adoption: one case one judge and Judicial Computer Project - Further clarifies the statute of limitations for fraud to conform to a recent State Supreme Court decision. Permits a judge who adjudicated a child dependent jurisdiction to also hear proceedings relating to that child on termination of parental rights and adoption and provides additional funding for the judicial computer project. Also includes enhanced penalties for unauthorized practice of law. (Senate Bill 1374) -- Act 77 of 1996 - Mental Capacity to Stand trial – Establishes preponderance of the evidence as the burden of evidence in determining incompetency to stand trial. (Senate Bill 1566) -- Act 20 of 1996 - Divorce and Custody Mediation - Offers an alternative to adversarial proceedings and provides an opportunity for mutual resolution of divorce and custody matters. Allows county court to establish mediation program and provides source of funding. (Senate Bill 432) -- Act 3 of 1996 - Confidential Mediation Communications - Creates a privilege for mediation communications and documents. Also requires the prothonotary to list all judgment over $1,000. (Senate Bill 619) -- Act 32 of 1995 - Post Conviction Hearing Act amendment - Limits the number of appeals (one appeal within one year) which may be taken by a convicted criminal offender under the Post Conviction Relief Act. ** (Special Session SB 81) -- Act 24 of 1995 - Megan's Law: Registration of Sex Offenders - (Senate Bill 225 and Special Session Senate Bill 7) Requires sex offenders to register with the State Police when released into the community; requires public notification; life imprisonment for second time sex offenders; and designates certain offenders as sexually violent predators. ** (Special Session Senate Bill 7) -- Act 10 of 1995 - Definition of Rape: No Means No - Eliminates the requirement that force must be used by the perpetrator in order for it to be rape. Instead, rape conviction will turn on whether there was consent. (Special Session Senate Bill 2) -- Pamphlet Law Resolution #1; March 15,1995 - Special Session Senate Bill 11 (Joint Resolution) - Constitutional amendment - Videotaping Child's Testimony - Allows children to testify in court by closed-circuit television. (An identical measure, SB 218, was passed in 1993-94 session. The electorate overwhelmingly approved this measure as a referendum in the November 1995 general election.) -- Act 164 of 1994 - Psychologists - Permits psychologists to provide testimony about a persons' drug dependency. (Senate Bill 1836) -- Act 159 of 1994 - Pre-Parole Drug Screening Tests – Requires that in order to be release on parole, an inmate must have a negative drug test with 45 days of his release. (Senate Bill 1688) -- Act 102 of 1994 - Probate Code amendments and Organ Donor - Clarifies various provisions in the Probate Code. Recommended by the Task Force on Decedents' Estates Laws. Also contains language to help facilitate the donation of vital organs. (Senate Bill 1662) -- Act 152 of 1992 - Probate Code amendments - Updates the Probate, Estate and Fiduciaries Code (i.e., streamlined provisions relating to advertisement of accounts, clarifies the court's jurisdiction to appoint temporary guardians. (Senate Bill 1118) -- Act 13 of 1988 - Divorce Code - Reduces the divorce waiting period from 3 to 2 years and provides an updated Divorce Code to conform to case law handed down since passage of original act in 1980. (Senate Bill 409) -- Act 301 of 1978 - Traffic Courts - Provides for optional Traffic Courts in smaller cities and setting standards for delivery of subpoenas in criminal proceedings by certified mail. (House Bill 1863) -- Act 53 of 1978 - Codification - Codifies the state Judicial Code. (House Bill 825) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Mandatory Reporting: Grand Jury report recommendation - Adds a section to the Crimes Code defining the offense of failing to report serious violent or sexual crimes against children (within 72 hours) and provides penalties for the offense. ** (HB1054, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1026, was signed into law as Act 179 of 2006.) -- Constructive Notice - Requires that a document must be both recorded and indexed properly with the Recorder of Deeds Office in order to provide constructive notice. ** (HB 2425, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1153, was signed into law as Act 86 of 2006.) -- Access to Justice Sunset Extension - Extends the sunset date on the Access Justice Act from 2007 to November 1, 2012. One year prior to expiration, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall conduct a performance audit, for submission to the General Assembly, to determine whether there is a continued need for the financial support provided under the Access to Justice Act. **(HB 1746, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 772, was signed into law as Act 81 of 2006.) -- Indecent Assault: Grand Jury report recommendation - Expands the definition of the offense of indecent assault and further delineates the penalties for the offense. ** (HB 1400, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1016, was signed into law as Act 76 of 2005.) -- Custody Law amendments - Makes numerous revisions to the child custody law based on recommendations of the Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law. Recommendations included the Uniform Child Custody and Enforcement Act. ** (HB 2083, the uniform act, was signed into law as Act 39 of 2004.) -- Note-taking by Jurors - Allows members of the jury to take notes during the trial. Both civil and criminal trials (SB 97). ** (The Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted rules for note-taking by jurors for civil and criminal trials.) -- Anti-Terrorism Act - Provides for new criminal offense for terrorism, expands the wire tap laws when investigating terrorism, creates a civil action for victims, eliminates red tape for estates of persons presumed dead in 911and builds a memorial for victims of 911. ** (A less comprehensive version, SB 1109, of Sen. Greenleaf's legislation (Senate Bill 1000) was signed into law as Act 82 of 2002.) -- Elections: Judicial Gag Rule Repealed - A constitutional amendment eliminating the "gag rule" so judicial candidates may speak on political and legal issues during their campaigns. ** (The U.S. Supreme Court in 2002 nullified a similar "gag rule" in Minnesota.) (SB 228 of the 2001-02 session) -- Reinstatement of Medical Tort Reform Law - A resolution urging the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to reinstate certain provisions of Act 135 of 1996 that provide medical malpractice tort reform. ** (HR 385, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's resolution, SR 43, was adopted on December 12, 2001.) -- Child-care at Courthouses & Additional Judges - Allows individual counties to increase the court cost by $5 to pay for the daily operation costs of child drop-in care facilities either on the premises or at a close proximity to the court house. Also provided for nearly 20 additional judges for several of the county courts of common pleas. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bills, SB 386 and 643, were amended into SB 958, which was signed into law as Act 105 of 2000.) -- County Intermediate Punishment - Amends the current County Intermediate Punishment Act to update the Act and to expand the programs in each county. ** (Sen. Greenleaf offered language from his bill, SB 835, as an amendment to HB 28, which was signed into law as Act 41 of 2000.) -- Capital Case Defense Funding - Secured funding ($614,000 line item) in the 2000-01 state budget for capital case defense services. (Act 21A of 2000) -- Indecent Assault involving Correction Employees - Restores a provision of a law that was eliminated under Special Session Act 10 of 1995, that permitted the Corrections Department to prosecute corrections employees when they engaged in consensual sexual relations with inmates. ** (Sen. Greenleaf offered language from his bill, SB 833, as an amendment to HB 689, which was signed into law as Act 157 of 1998.) -- Habitual Offenders - Toughens penalties for habitual offenders who continue to drive. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1387, were amended into HB 433, which was signed into law as Act 151 of 1998.) -- Alimony Pendente Lite - Prohibits a person who is subject to protection from abuse order from being awarded alimony during the divorce litigation. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1027, were amended into SB 1087, which was signed into law as Act 36 of 1998.) -- Medical Records - Waives any cost incurred for reproducing medical records if it serves the purpose of supporting a claim or appeal under the Social Security Act or any state or federal program based on financial need. ** (HB 1048, which was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 839, was signed into law as Act 26 of 1998.) -- Bankruptcy Exemptions - Exempts a bankruptcy estate for contributions made by a debtor to his retirement fund. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, Senate Bill 898, were amended into House Bill 1048, which was signed into law as Act 26 of 1998.) -- Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act - Permits owners of securities, including stocks and bonds, to name a beneficiary to whom the securities would pass without the cost of probate. ** (HB 299, which was identical to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 785, was signed into law as Act 168 of 1996.) -- Chairman's Report: Prison Overcrowding & Alternative Sentencing - As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Greenleaf held hearings on the issue of overcrowding and issued a report in July of 1996 on how to improve the prison system in Pa. -- Investigation into the Parole of Robert Mudman Simon. - Senator Greenleaf, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a Report in February of 1996, which made a number of legislative and administrative recommendations to improve the parole of violent criminals. -- High Risk Dangerous Offenders; Three Strikes - Requires the PA Sentencing Commission to set up guidelines to identify high risk dangerous offenders and provides maximum sentences for individuals who fit these guidelines. ** (A similar bill, Special Session HB 93, which included Sen. Greenleaf's three strikes proposal, was signed into law as Act 21 of 1995.) -- Psychiatric Examination of Violent Offenders – Requires that an individual convicted of a violent crime must go through a psychiatric exam. If exam shows individual is violent in nature, this will be taken into consideration during sentencing. ** (The contents of this bill are found in the three strikes bill, Special Session HB 93, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB1134, which was signed into law as Act 21 of 1995.) -- "Son of Sam" Law - Strengthens Pennsylvania's law which requires a person convicted of a felony crime to turn over to the state any profits he received from describing his crime in a book. ** (Special Session HB 18, which was amended by Sen. Greenleaf to resemble his bill (SB 588 & SS SB 71), was signed into law as Act 12 of 1995.) -- Juvenile Justice Amendments – Clarifies provisions relating to the jurisdiction and venue of courts over delinquent acts committed by juveniles. ** (Special Session HB 31, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 629, was signed into law as Act 9 of 1995.) -- Crime Victim Notification - Provides for victim notification when the offender is released from a county jail. ** (Special Session SB 14, which is identical to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 229, was signed into law as Act 2 of 1995.) -- Legal Services Funding - Spearheaded the effort to restore $2.5 million in funding for legal services by introducing legislation in 1994 and 1995. Funding was eventually restored in the state budget in 1995. -- Extension of Wiretap Law - Initiated legislation, SB 1767, to extend the Wiretap Law from 1994 to 1999. ** (An identical measure, HB 3067, was signed into law as Act 148 of 1994.) -- Served as Chairman of Senate Impeachment Committee during 1994 impeachment trial of former Pa. Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen. -- Capital Representation Resource Center Act - Establishes a resource center for attorneys handling capital (death penalty) cases. A nonprofit organization, the center will train attorneys and track capital cases through the various stages of the judicial system (SB 1000 of 1993-94 session). ** (The Resource Center was established through a legislative grant and other sources -1993-94.) -- Judicial Discipline (Constitutional Amendment) - Revises the state's system of judicial conduct review and discipline. Sets up a two tiered system, including an investigation division (the Judicial Conduct Board) and an adjudicative branch (the Court of Judicial Discipline). Introduced a constitutional amendment in 1992 that passed the Legislature as Joint Resolution #1 (Senate Bill 1000). The Legislature approved HB 1, an identical resolution in 1993 and the voters overwhelmingly (82%) approved a referendum to implement the changes. Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 381 - Criminal Justice: Wrongful Convictions Study - Directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to study the underlying causes of wrongful convictions and to make findings and recommendations to reduce the possibility that in the future innocent persons will be wrongfully convicted. (SB 1069) **Adopted, November 21, 2006. -- Senate Resolution 160 - Alternative Dispute Resolution Study - Directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish a bipartisan task force with an advisory committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the current status of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. **Adopted, February 7, 2006. -- Senate Resolution 220 - Expressing opposition to amendments of March 12, 2004, to the rules implementing the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. **Adopted, June 22, 2004. -- Senate Resolution 244 - Tax Force/Advisory Committee: Real Property Law - Concurrent resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a bipartisan legislative task force with an advisory committee to complete the codification of Pennsylvania's law on real property and, on a continuing basis, to review and update real property law. **Adopted, November 26, 2002. -- Senate Resolution 149 - Prison Population Study - Directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish a bipartisan task force with an advisory committee to study and make recommendations regarding geriatric, seriously ill and lifer populations in Pennsylvania correctional institutions. **Adopted, September 25, 2002. -- Senate Resolution 108 - Designating the week of December 15 through 21, 1997, as Juror Appreciation Week in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, December 10, 1997. -- Senate Resolution 66 - Commending Joint State Government Commission Task Force and Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estates Laws for their contributions to the General Assembly for the past fifty years. **Adopted, September 20, 1995. -- Senate Resolution 163 - Removing Justice Rolf Larsen from office and disqualifying him from holding any public office. **Adopted, October 4, 1994. -- Senate Resolution 112 - Commending the Joint State Government Commission Task Force and Advisory Committee on Descendents' Estates Laws for their contribution to General Assembly for 40 years. **Adopted, December 3, 1985. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 74 - Child Custody Law: Joint State Government Commission - Rewrites the child custody law based on the recommendations of the Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law. ** (Passed the Senate on Oct. 18, 2005 and re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 207 - Hospital Immunity for Donations - Provides for limited immunity for hospitals that donate medicine, medical supplies and equipment for humanitarian assistance. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 208 - Exemption for Youth Soccer - Exempts Pennsylvania affiliates of US Youth Soccer from paying the criminal history record information fee and child abuse information fee in checking on the criminal backgrounds of prospective volunteers. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 217 - Retention Election of District Justices - Amends state constitution to require retention elections for district justices. ** (Re-referred to the Senate AppropriationsCommittee on June 14, 2005 but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 218 - Cameras in the Courtroom - Permits TV coverage of judicial proceedings. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 220 - First Degree Murder, Aggravating Circumstances - Provides for an additional aggravating circumstance which prosecutors may seek the death penalty. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 223 - Replacing "justice of the peace" with "district justice" - Amends state constitution to replace "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge." (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 334 - Application of Death Penalty to Mental Retardation Cases - Establishes procedures to ensure that the execution of persons with mental retardation does not occur in Pennsylvania. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 340 - Argument for Damages - Allows an attorney on either side of a civil case, during closing arguments, to recommend to jurors a specific amount of monetary damages. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 341 - Court Reporters - Prevents parties in interest from establishing any direct financial relationship with court reporters to avoid conflict of interest. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 342 - Common Law Courts - Prohibits use of an unofficial legal tribunal, referred to as a common law court, from exercising jurisdiction over person or property. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 349 - Criminal Laboratory User Fees - Expands the imposition of criminal laboratory user fees. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 392 - Limited Liability Companies - Provides general partners in a Limited Liability Partnership the same protection from liability as shareholders in a professional corporation, thus giving the owners of large and small professional practices the same liability protection. ** (Re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 2, 2005 but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 505 - Criminal Transmission of HIV/AIDS - Makes it a third degree felony when a person is knowingly HIV positive and engages in sexual intercourse or shares needles with another person without the informed consent of the person. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 506 - Codification of Title 61 - Codify Title 61, consolidating in one body of law the acts relating to prisons and parole. ** (Passed the Senate and House but died in the Senate Rules Committee.) -- Senate Bill 553 - Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act – Authorizes protection orders for sexual assault victims. ** (Passed the Senate on October 17, 2006 but died in the House Judiciary Committee.) -- Senate Bill 557 - Prison Contraband - Expands and clarifies the Crimes Code provisions prohibiting contraband, including weapons, implements of escape and other dangerous material, in correctional institutions, youth development centers and mental hospitals. ** (Passed the Senate on June 30, 2006 but died in the House of Representatives.) -- Senate Bill 559 - Gender-motivated violence - Establishes a civil cause of action for gender-motivated violence. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 561 - HIV Testing Due to Inmate Assault - Authorizes HIV testing if a corrections officer has come into contact with the blood, seminal fluid, saliva, urine or feces thrown, tossed, spit or expelled at him by an inmate. The inmate must be convicted of inmate assault before the test is conducted. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 562 - Capital Representation Resource Center - Establishes a resource center for attorneys handling capital (death penalty) cases. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 563 - Joint and Several Liability - Abolishes joint liability for any defendant whose percentage share of liability is less than the percentage share of fault attributed to the plaintiff. The plaintiff may not recover damages from such a defendant in excess of that defendant's share of fault. ** (Re-committed to the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2006 but died in committee.) -- Senate Bill 564 - Exemption from Jury Duty based on Age - Amends the Judicial Code to exempt persons 75 years of age or older who request to be excused. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 637 - Adoption Act - Revises the adoption law based on the recommendations of the Joint State Government Advisory Committee on Adoption Law. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 773 - Simulcasting Greyhound Racing - Makes it a misdemeanor of the first degree for a person to transmit or receive interstate or intrastate simulcasting of a greyhound race for commercial purposes. ** (Passed the Senate on March 14, 2006 unanimously but died in the House Judiciary Committee.) -- Senate Bill 774 - Expungement of Criminal Records - Amends the Criminal History Record Information Act to permit the expungement of certain criminal conviction data. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 1070 - Sexually Dangerous Persons Involuntary Commitment Act - Provides a civil commitment procedure for the long-term care and treatment of sexually dangerous persons. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 1071 - Medical Release: PA Board of Probation and Parole Law amendment - Provides for an expedited review by the Board of Probation and Parole of cases where the Department of Corrections has reported that an inmate is seriously or terminally ill, is receiving treatment or hospice care, and presents a minimal risk of re-offending. Recommended by the Advisory Committee on Geriatric and Seriously Ill Inmates. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 1072 - Medical Release: Judicial Code, Title 42 amendment - Establishes a more comprehensive procedure by which the inmate or the inmate's designee, or the Department of Corrections or county correctional institution, may petition a court for a medical release. Recommended by the Advisory Committee on Geriatric and Seriously Ill Inmates. (Senate Judiciary Committee) Miscellaneous -- Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. -- Appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals to serve on the Death Penalty Task Force resulting in the introduction of legislation to establish a resource center for attorneys handling capital (death penalty) cases. -- Appointed by Governor Casey to serve on the Judicial Reform Commission. Participated in development of recommendations to improve the process of judicial selection and review. -- Appointed to serve on the task force for computerization of court system in the state. -- Appointed to serve on the Commission for Justice Initiatives (Pa. Bar Association). -- Appointed to serve on the Task Force on Student Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Assistance (Pa Bar Association). -- Served as a Steering Committee Member in the federally sponsored project "Crime Victims and Corrections: Implementing the agenda for the 1990's". -- Chairman of the Joint State Government Commission's Task Force on Decedents' Estates Laws; Task Force on Domestic Relations Law; Task Force on Adoption Law, Task Force on Alternative Dispute Resolution Services and Task Force on Real Property Law. -- Served on House Judiciary Committee as well as the Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections in 1977-78. Honors and Awards -- Recipient of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee Special Recognition Award for bringing mediation and alternative dispute resolution to the citizens of Pennsylvania. (June 8, 2006) -- Recipient of 2005 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape Leadership Award for legislation protecting victims of sexual violence. -- Recipient of 2004 Keystone State Railroad Association Award for passage of House Bill 1117, the Railroad Trespass Bill. -- The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws recognized Sen. Greenleaf for the Uniform Trade Secrets Act in Pennsylvania (Act 14 of 2004). -- Recipient of the 2003 Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA of Bucks County) Award for child advocacy for his work for child witness electronic testimony. -- Recipient of the 2002 Milton O. Moss Award from the Montgomery Bar Foundation for funding for legal aid services to the indigent, the Access to Justice Act. -- Recipient of Pennsylvania Legal Services Award for the Access to Justice Act (2002). -- Recipient of the 2002 Mattie Muir Award for strong and successful advocacy of victims' rights and victims' services. -- The Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association 1992 annual award in recognition of "efforts and resolve in protecting the rights of Pennsylvanians under civil law". LAW ENFORCEMENT & CORRECTIONS | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 152 of 2004 - Deficiency Judgment Act amendment & Megan's Law amendment - Addresses a problem that occurs when real property collateral securing the same commercial loan is located in more than one Pennsylvania county. This legislation designates the court in one of the counties as the "deficiency court." Also, it adds the offense of "institutional sexual assault" to the list of crimes for which an offender must register his whereabouts. (Senate Bill 92; provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, Senate Bill 903, were also amended into it.) -- Act 112 of 2004 - State Intermediate Punishment Act - Creating intermediate punishment programs for nonviolent criminal offenders. Programs include intensive supervision, halfway houses, work release, etc. (Senate Bill 217) -- Act 19 of 1998 - Wiretap Amendments & Assault by Prisoner - Changes current law to permit roving surveillance and allow legally intercepted communications to be used in criminal trials. Also, a sentence imposed on an inmate for assaulting a prison employee must be served consecutively to the current sentence rather than concurrently. (Senate Bill 635; Provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's wiretap bill, Senate Bill 901, were amended into it.) -- Act 164 of 1996 - Parole Legislation - Amends the Pa. Board of Probation and Parole law by rewriting the legislative purpose section, increases board membership from 5 to 9, and filing of applications for parole. (Senate Bill 1667) -- Act 40 of 1996 - Prison Medical Services Act - Authorizes the Corrections Department to charge fees to inmates for certain medical services. (Senate Bill 856) -- Act 27 of 1995 - Baseball Bats – Provides that the use of a baseball bat, with the intent to commit a crime, would be considered an instrument of crime. The bill, as passed, was amended to provide for penalties for cruelty to dogs and cats and further provides for aggravated assault for certain public officials (i.e. judges). (Senate Bills 729, 584 & 962) -- Act 132 of 1992 - Private Detectives - Amends the Private Detective Act of 1953 to provide for renewal of a private detective's license for a period up to five years. (Senate Bill 1688) -- Act 117 of 1992 - Authorizes probation officers to arrest persons who violate the provisions of a sentence of intermediate punishment. (Senate Bill 1487) -- Act 25 of 1992 - Philadelphia Municipal Court - Reenacts certain provisions relating to the Philadelphia Municipal Court - jurisdiction over public nuisance cases, increasing the amount needed for compulsory arbitration from $20,000 to $50,000. (Senate Bill 40) -- Act 1 of 1992 - Probation Officers - Provides immunity to adult probation officers providing services to probationers. (Senate Bill 303) -- Act 9 of 1991 - Juveniles - Protects alleged dependent and delinquent juveniles in municipal detention from being held with adult detainees and from self-inflicted harm by requiring constant supervision. Places time limits for detaining juveniles. (Senate Bill 304) -- Act 193 of 1990 -County Intermediate Punishment - Provides for Intermediate Punishment for county prisoners by providing grant incentives to counties utilizing programs of work release, home monitoring, drug and alcohol rehabilitation as alternatives to incarceration. (Senate Bill 718) -- Act 145 of 1990 - Lethal Injection - Replaces use of electric chair with lethal injection for the death penalty. (Senate Bill 637) -- Act 179 of 1988 - Death Penalty – Provides that if a death penalty sentence is vacated on a technicality, the penalty will not automatically become a life sentence but could be subject to death sentence on retrial. (Senate Bill 1304) -- Act 26 of 1988 - Sentencing Guidelines - Expedites the readoption of the Sentencing Guidelines approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. (Senate Bill 1130) -- Act 151 of 1986 - Bad checks - Increases damages in civil actions on bad checks. (Senate Bill 408) -- Act 41 of 1986 - Sentencing Commission - Reestablishes the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing under the Sunset Act. (Senate Bill 1343) -- Act 40 of 1986 - Pennsylvania Crime Commission - Clarifies procedures of commission relating to dissemination of materials, confidentiality of information and trained use of firearms. (Senate Bill 1342) -- Act 77 of 1985 - District Attorneys - Permits counties of all sizes to determine if they want to provide a full-time District Attorney. (Senate Bill 704) -- Pamphlet Law Resolution #2; June 29, 1984 - Senate Bill 299 (Joint Resolution) - Constitutional Amendment on Suppressed Voluntary Confessions - Amends state constitution to provide that suppressed voluntary confessions are admissible if defendant chooses to take the stand to contradict prior confession suppressed on a technicality. (An identical measure, SB 496, was passed in 1981-82 session. The electorate approved this measure as a referendum in the November 1984 general election.) -- Act 2 of 1984 - Deputy Sheriffs - Provides for education and training of Deputy Sheriffs. (Senate Bill 403) -- Act 114 of 1981 - Quotas on tickets - Prohibits quota's on citations and tickets issued by officers of local police, State Police, Game Commission and Fish Commission. (Senate Bill 276) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Tuition Assistance for Dependent Children of Deceased Police Officers - Provides free tuition for college to dependent children of firefighters, law enforcement officers and other public safety officers. ** (HB 2024, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's proposal, SB 463, was signed into law as Act 129 of 1998.) -- Merging the Crime Victims Compensation Board with PCCD - Administratively moves the Crime Victims Compensation Board to the Commission on Crime and Delinquency and creates the Bureau of Victim Services. ** (Special Session HB 126, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's special session bill, SS SB 104, was signed into law as Act 27 of 1995.) -- Attempted Murder - Making an attempt to commit murder of the first degree a felony of first degree; 20 years with a mandatory 5 years if a gun is used. ** (Special Session SB 16, similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 630, was signed into law as Act 3 of 1995.) -- Youth Development Center - Investigation and report which resulted in administrative changes in the juvenile justice system. Recommended private placements of eligible juvenile offenders and more secure facilities for high-risk juveniles. (1992) -- Drunk Driving - Initiated legislation which allows police to wait up to 3 hours between stopping a motorist for drunk driving before administering a blood alcohol level test. The bill supersedes a recent state supreme court decision which invalidated a case where the police officers waited over an hour to give a test. ** (Offered language as amendment to House Bill 355, which was signed into law as Act 174 of 1992.) -- Camp Hill Riots Investigation - Report on reasons behind riots and recommendations for administrative changes. (1990) -- Missing Children Registration - Initiated legislation that requires local law enforcement to report all missing children to the school district and the Bureau of Vital Records. The schools and Bureau will flag the child's school records and birth certificate should someone request this information (recovery mechanism). ** (A similar bill, HB 1665, was signed into law as Act 106 of 1990.) -- Mandatory Minimum Sentence-Trafficking Drugs - Offered an amendment that was incorporated into HB 668 which became law (Act 31 of 1988). The type of drug and the amount of drug determines the mandatory sentence (i.e. 5 grams of amphetamine = mandatory sentence of 2.5 years on first conviction). -- Wiretap Law – Sen. Greenleaf's legislation, SB 1101, to bring the state wiretap statute into line with federal law was adopted as an amendment to SB 797. The provisions provide protection for electronic surveillance of modern telecommunications (e.g. computer terminals). This will give law enforcement a fighting chance against communications technology employed by organized crime. **(SB 797 was signed into law as Act 115 of 1988.) Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 381 - Criminal Justice: Wrongful Convictions Study - Directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to study the underlying causes of wrongful convictions and to make findings and recommendations to reduce the possibility that in the future innocent persons will be wrongfully convicted. (SB 1069) **Adopted, November 21, 2006. -- Senate Resolution 13 - Parole Board Accreditation - Congratulating the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for receiving re-accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA). **Adopted, February 1, 2005. -- Senate Resolution 82 - Police Officers Memorial Day - Designates May 15, 1994 as Police Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 15 as Police Week. **Adopted, April 26, 1994. -- Senate Resolution 122 - Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Month - Designated the month of February as Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Month. **Adopted, February 10, 1998. -- Senate Resolution 203 - Memorializing President and Congress to urge the German Federal Republic to abolish or extend statute of limitations relating to Nazi war crimes. **Adopted, May 8, 1979. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 73 - Identification of Purchasers of Keg Beer - Requires sellers of kegs of beer to record the purchaser's identification and affix ID labels the kegs. Helps prevent adults from buying beer for minors. (Senate Law and Justice Committee) -- Senate Bill 215 - Bail Bond Enforcement Agent Law - Provides for regulation and licensure of bail bond enforcement agents (bounty hunters). (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 343 - First Responder Hepatitis B Inoculations - Establishes a statewide program to provide hepatitis B shots for law enforcement officers, firefighters and medical personnel. (Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee) -- Senate Bill 344 - Drug Task Force Act - Directs State Police to set up a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task force for purposes of preventing the entry of illegal drugs in Pennsylvania. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 345 - Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights - Requires law enforcement officers to receive notice prior to dismissal, demotion or reassignment. (Senate Law and Justice Committee) -- Senate Bill 489 - Missing Children – Amends Crime Code to make clear that children abducted as part of a domestic dispute or custody battle should be considered missing children. Also establishes a Missing Children Information Clearinghouse in the State Police to act as a central repository for information on children reported missing. (Senate Aging and Youth Committee) -- Senate Bill 506 - Codification of Title 61 - Codify Title 61, consolidating in one body of law the acts relating to prisons and parole. ** (Passed the Senate and House but died in the Senate Rules Committee.) -- Senate Bill 557 - Prison Contraband - Expands and clarifies the Crimes Code provisions prohibiting contraband, including weapons, implements of escape and other dangerous material, in correctional institutions, youth development centers and mental hospitals. ** (Passed the Senate on June 30, 2006 but died in the House of Representatives.) -- Senate Bill 558 - Prison Escape (use of force) - Amends the Crimes Code to authorize a correctional officer or guard, during the first five hours after discovery of an escape, to use whatever force the guard believes is necessary to defend himself from bodily harm within five miles of the correctional facility. (Senate Judiciary Committee) -- Senate Bill 560 - Prison Escape (identification) - Requires correctional facilities, when an escape has been discovered, to immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over the escape. (Senate Judiciary Committee) Miscellaneous -- 1977 to 1978 served on House Judiciary Committee as well as the Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections. -- Former Vice Chairman of Senate Law and Justice Committee. -- Served on the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. -- Former Assistant Public Defender for Bucks County. -- Former Assistant District Attorney for Montgomery County. -- Former Chief of Appeals Division for Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. -- A guest lecturer and participant in panel discussions at Pennsylvania Bar Association meetings, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trail Judges on several occasions. -- In a Penn State Ph.D. Dissertation entitled "Correctional Policy in the Political Arena: A case study of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in Transition," Sen. Greenleaf was ranked as the most influential lawmaker in correctional policy-making among a list of 22 elected state lawmakers. -- Appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania State Council Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (Pa. Board of Probation and Parole). -- Chairman of the Joint State Government Commission's Task Force on Geriatric and Seriously Ill Inmates. Honors and Awards -- Recipient of 2004 Lois Williamson Memorial Award from PA CURE, a criminal justice advocacy organization focused on inmate issues, for Sen. Greenleaf's work on inmate issues and for his willingness to listen to the concerns of inmate families. -- The Deputy Sheriffs Association Distinguished Public Service Award. LIQUOR LAW | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 24 of 1982 - Allowing liquor licensees with Sunday sales permits to conduct business on election day. (Senate Bill 484) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Trade Show Centers - Sen. Greenleaf supported amendatory language contained in House Bill 2105 which, in part, revised the definition of public venue in order to allow a convention center or trade show center with 60,000 square feet and no permanent seating to obtain a public venue liquor license. ** (HB 2105 was signed into law as Act 239 of 2004.) -- Election Day Liquor Sales - Permits the sale of alcoholic beverages on Election Day by hotels and restaurants. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1306, were amended into a Senate Liquor Code bill, Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law as Act 141 of 2000.) -- Liquor Law Reforms - Sponsored at least ten pieces of legislation to reform the State liquor system which were included in the LCB Sunset Law, HB 1000, which was signed into law as Act 14of 1987.
-- As Chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, held extensive hearings on the Liquor Control Board during 1982-83. As a result of the hearings, published a report entitled "P.L.C.B. A System on the Rocks," which recommended changes in licensing & enforcement. Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 73 - Identification of Purchasers of Keg Beer - Requires sellers of kegs of beer to record the purchaser's identification and affix ID labels the kegs. Helps prevent adults from buying beer for minors. (Senate Law and Justice Committee) LOCAL GOVERNMENT | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 28 of 2002 - Municipal Officers (boroughs) - Permits a member of borough council to vote on an issue despite the fact that they have expressed an opinion on that issue. (Senate Bill 220) -- Act 22 of 2002 - Municipal Officers (first class township) - Permits a member of the board of commissioners to vote on an issue despite the fact they have expressed an opinion on that issue. (Senate Bill 218) -- Act 21 of 2002 - Municipal Officers (second class townships) - Permits a member of the board of supervisors to vote on any issue despite the fact they have expressed an opinion on that issue. (Senate Bill 219) -- Act 104 of 2000 - Tax Collector Continuing Education Act & Installment Payment of Local Taxes - Establishes a continuing education program for qualified tax collectors. The measure also permits the payment of local property taxes on an installment plan. (Senate Bill 769) -- Act 165 of 1996 - Landscape Architects - Amends the Municipalities Planning Code to allow subdivision and land development plans to be prepared in accordance with both the Professional Engineers Registration Law and the Landscape Architects Registration Law. (Senate Bill 1197) -- Acts 1, 2, 3, and 4 of 1988 - Uniform Parcel Identifying System - Authorizing counties to establish uniform parcel identifier system within the office of the Recorder of Deeds or Commissioner of Records to facilitate property transfers and tax assessments and provide for an efficient land record system. (Senate Bills 131, 132, 133 and 134) -- Act 114 of 1981 - Quotas on tickets - Prohibiting quota's on citations and tickets issued by officers of local police, State Police, Game Commission and Fish Commission. (Senate Bill 276) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- County Pension Plans - Reduces the vesting period for county employees from 8 years to 5 years and permits the county to establish a new class of county contributions to enhance employees' pensions. ** (HB 545, a bill similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 454, was signed into law as Act 43 of 2003.) -- Police Lodge Convention - Authorizes boroughs to provide police officers with paid leave so they may attend FOP or similar lodge meetings. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 783, were amended into HB1155, which was signed into law as Act 34 of 2000.) -- Second Class Township: Criminal Enforcement of Ordinance - Allows criminal enforcement for a violation of a building, housing, property maintenance, health, fire or public safety code or ordinance and for water, air and noise pollution violations. Other violations will be civil violations. ** (The provisions of Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 1576, were amended into HB 685, which was signed into law as Act 172 of 1996.) Current Legislation -- Senate Bill 206 - Review of Coroner's Report - Provides families with the opportunity to review a coroner's report before it is made available to the public. (Senate Local Government Committee) -- Senate Bill 214 - Reimbursing Municipal Police for Serving Warrants - Permits municipal police to be reimbursed for serving a warrant. ** (Passed the Senate on April 25, 2006 but died in the House Judiciary Committee.) -- Senate Bill 545 - Municipal Land Bank and Affordable Housing - Allows second class township supervisors, with the approval of the voters, to designate all or part of their realty transfer tax revenue to acquire open space for purposes of conservation, recreation and agriculture, or to establish an affordable housing program. (Senate Local Government Committee) Honors and Awards -- Recipient of the "Legislator of the Year" award from the Pennsylvania State Tax Collectors' Association for his sponsorship of legislation in support of tax collectors (2002). PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE | Back to Top Greenleaf Bills Enacted -- Act 169 of 2006 - Advance directives: Joint State Government Commission - Provides for the use of a health care power of attorney to make health care decisions. (Senate Bill 628) -- Act 89 of 1994 - DES Public Information & Education - Requires the Health Department to establish a public and professional education and information program to identify and diagnose individuals who were exposed to a drug, Diethylstilbestrol, commonly known as DES, while pregnant or prenatal. (Senate Bill 1396) Other Greenleaf Initiatives Accomplished -- Infant Botulism Education Program - Require the Health Department to establish a public information and education program on infant botulism. In March 2004 the Health Department committed to develop an infant botulism fact sheet and increase awareness among health care professionals of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the condition. (Senate Bill 1033) -- Smoking Cessation Program-MA - In 2001, DPW administratively authorized MA reimbursement for smoking cessation treatments and services. This was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's legislative proposal. (Senate Bill 1143) -- Mental Retardation Waiting List - In 1999, DPW created a Waiting List Work Group, which developed a long-term plan to reduce the waiting list for MR services. This was similar to Sen. Greenleaf's legislative proposal (Senate Bill 593). Also, supported Gov. Ridge's proposed funding in FY 2000-01 ($50 million) budget to reduce/eliminate the waiting list for MR services. (Act 21A of 2000) -- Funding for DES Public Information & Education - Helped to secure funding ($250,000) in the Department of Health's budget for fiscal year 2000-01 to fully implement the provisions of Act 89 of 1994, which Sen. Greenleaf sponsored, to promote education and public awareness of DES. (Act 21A of 2000) -- Certification/Regulation of Utilization Review Act - Requires each utilization review organizations to be certified and regulated by the Insurance Department. ** (SB 91, which contains, in part, language similar to Sen. Greenleaf's bill, SB 854, was signed into law as Act 68 of 1998.) -- Medical Savings Accounts - An employer or individual may set up a tax-free account for medical expenses. ** (House Bill 1468, a bill similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 1132, was signed into law as Act 179 of 1996.) -- Mother & Newborn Child Health Services - Requires health insurers to provide 48 hour maternity coverage. ** (House Bill 1977, a bill similar to Sen. Greenleaf's measure, SB 1237, was signed into law as Act 85 of 1996.) Resolutions Adopted -- Senate Resolution 330 - Designate the month of September 2006 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 29, 2006. -- Senate Resolution 163 - Designate the month of September 2005 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, September 19, 2005. -- Senate Resolution 96 - Designating May 2005 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month in Pennsylvania and urging the President and Congress to enact legislation to provide additional funding for research. **Adopted April 20, 2005 -- Senate Resolution 86 - Designating May 2005 as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. **Adopted, April 19, 2005. -- Senate Resolution 321 - Commemorating, on December 1, 2004, the 10th anniversary of the enactment of Act 102 of 1994 relating to anatomical gifts. **Adopted, November 9, 2004. -- Senate Resolution 291 - Designate the month of September 2004 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 29, 2004. -- Senate Resolution 181 - Designating November 24, 2003, as Infant Botulism Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, November 11, 2003. -- Senate Resolution 136 - Designate the month of September 2003 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, September 9, 2003. -- Senate Resolution 115 - Recognizing the week of August 3 through 9, 2003, as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Week in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 25, 2003 -- Senate Resolution 61 - Designating the week of May 4 through 10, 2003, as Cancer Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, April 23, 2003. -- Senate Resolution 253 - Designate the month of September 2002 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 19, 2002. -- Senate Resolution 171 - Urges the Department of health to develop a task force to investigate the health effects of toxic mold. ** Adopted, June 18, 2002. -- Senate Resolution 93 - Designate the month of September 2001 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, June 20, 2001. -- Senate Resolution 209 - Designate the month of September 2000 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, September 26, 2000. -- Senate Resolution 72 - Designates May 12, 1999, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. ** (Adopted, April 4, 1999) -- Senate Resolution 70 - Recognizing the week of May 2 through 8, 1999, as Chastity Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. ** Adopted, April 19, 1999. -- Senate Resolution 223 - Designate the month of October 1998 as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Sy | ||||||||||||||||||||
