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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2009

Senate Weekly Session Wrap

Important Harrisburg Happenings:

Senate Approves Mortgage Reform bills

The Senate approved two mortgage reform bills, and several health care measures were approved by a Senate committee during the session week of March 16, according to Senator Pat Browne (R-16).

The Senate approved two bills on Tuesday cosponsored by Senator Browne to protect consumers from fraud perpetrated by unscrupulous mortgage brokers. Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) introduced the bills in response to the OPFM mortgage scandal that swindled more than $26 million from Pennsylvania homeowners.

Senate Bill 170 would prohibit a mortgage broker or originator from being the exclusive recipient of communications to a consumer. The legislation would prevent brokers from withholding information about interest rates, fees or monthly payments, and would ensure that consumers are informed of the terms of their mortgage.

Senate Bill 171 would protect mortgage company employees who report illegal activities or take part in an investigation, hearing or inquiry by preventing employers from taking actions such as reducing an employee's salary or benefits, changing the terms of employment, or firing an employee.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 434 on Monday. The measure amends the Domestic Relations Code (DRC) to increase the monetary limits of parental liability for the acts of their children, includes an injury to a person and the theft, destruction or loss of property.

Currently, liability of parents under DRC is limited to $1,000 for acts suffered by any one person or $2,500 regardless of the number of persons who suffered. SB 434 increases the limits to $2,000 for one person and to $4,000 for more than one person. The amounts were last changed by the General Assembly in 1994.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, the Senate approved Senate Bill 391 which repeals Act 513 of 1862 which gives a judge, mayor, alderman or justice of the peace in the City of Philadelphia the authority to commit orphan, destitute, abandoned or vagrant children to two city orphanages. That antiquated act has been superseded by the Juvenile Act and the Adoption Act.

Senator Argall Sworn In

Senator David Argall (R-29) was sworn into office for his first term representing the 29th Senatorial District during a Tuesday, March 17, 2009 ceremony in the Senate Chamber. Senator Argall replaces Senator James Rhoades, who died as a result of a traffic accident last fall. 

Prior to his election to the Senate, Senator Argall spent 24 years as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representative, where he served terms as Republican Whip, Appropriations Committee Chairman and Caucus Chairman.

The 29th Senatorial District includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.

Senate Committee Report:

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Approved Several Bills Including:

Senate Bill 84, cosponsored by Senator Browne, would extend liability protection to nonprofit corporations created by a redevelopment authority.

Senate Bill 205 would authorize municipalities which have a special sewage system fund to use public funds for private lateral sewer lines when in the public interest.

Senate Bill 232 would hold the Army Corps of Engineers harmless for construction of a collapsible dam on Conemaugh River.

Senate Bill 236 would amend Pennsylvania's Stream Clearance, Rectification and Improvement Act to permit use of nonstructural alternatives to address flooding problems.

Senate Bill 275, the Coal Bed Methane Well Dispute Resolution Act cosponsored by Senator Browne, would create a Coal Methane Review Board to resolve disputes between property owners over the location of coal bed methane wells and access roads.

Senate Bill 328, cosponsored by Senator Browne, would increase the Water & Power Resources Board bidding requirements threshold from $4,000 to $25,000.

Senate Bill 490 would transfer $174 million from Oil & Gas Lease Fund to General Fund.

Public Health and Welfare Committee Approved Five Bills Including:

Senate Bill 5, the Community-Based Health Care Act cosponsored by Senator Browne, would establish the Community-Based Health Care Program in the Department of Health to provide grants to community-based health care clinics.

Senate Bill 89, a measure cosponsored by Senator Browne, would re-enact the Health Care Cost Containment Act and re-establish the Health Care Cost Containment Council Act Review Committee with a new sunset date of June 30, 2014.

Senate Bill 128, the Intergenerational Family Care Act cosponsored by Senator Browne, would create an intergenerational family care pilot program to aid persons who are not the biological or adoptive parents in raising children and providing a model for a possible full-scale intergenerational family care program.

Senate Bill 314, the Keystone Care Program Act cosponsored by Senator Browne, would establish the Keystone Care (KeyCare) Program in the Department of Health to provide grants for health care services.

Senate Bill 335, the Keystone Care Prescription Assistance Act, would make low-cost prescription drugs available through the state's community-based health care clinics.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 366-2327