 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
| News You Can Use |
| Legislative Headlines |
House Approves Delozier Legislation to Allow Entities to Collect Restitution
The House this week approved my bill to amend the definition of victim in the state’s restitution law to include all crime victims, not just individuals.
A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling vacated a former representative’s restitution order for using state resources to run campaigns. The court found that the Commonwealth cannot be a victim as the definition of victim under law only refers to individuals and their family members, not an entity. House Bill 1806 would change this.
In cases where the victim is a government entity or organizations like fire companies, legions and libraries, the taxpayer ultimately pays through higher taxes or reduction in services to make up the difference since no restitution can be paid. This bill will help correct this error.
It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
October Recognized as “Domestic Awareness Month”
My resolution designating the month of October 2017 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania” was unanimously passed by the House.
Last year, 102 people were killed in Pennsylvania by someone who was supposed to love them. Victims ranged in age from just 1 year old to 96, including two law enforcement officers who responded to calls for help.
We need to raise public awareness about this awful crime and remind victims they are not alone. I’m hopeful my resolution sends a strong message that Pennsylvanians will not tolerate domestic violence. More information about domestic violence is available here.
Better Protecting Consumers from Data Breaches
Legislation is expected to advance in the state House in the coming weeks to respond to recent breaches of personal and financial data. Two new House bills are designed to further protect consumers who are victims of data breaches that open them to possible identity theft.
The first proposal would require notification of a breach from the entity where the breach occurred to the affected consumer within 30 days and to the state attorney general. The notification would include the date the breach occurred, the type of information subject to the breach, a toll-free number and the address of credit reporting agencies. The entities must also develop policies to safeguard and discard personal consumer information.
The second bill would waive the current credit freeze fee, which charges up to $10 per account. In the instance of a data breach, consumers would be provided with three months of free credit monitoring and up to three free credit reports for one calendar year after the date the breach is reported. None of these would apply to a credit reporting agency that has not experienced a breach.
These two bills were introduced following the Equifax data breach, which was the largest data breach in history – exposing the personal information of at least 143 million Americans, including 5.4 million Pennsylvanians.
‘Right to Try’ Bill Heads to Governor
In giving hope to individuals facing terminal illnesses, legislation is now on the governor’s desk that would allow eligible patients to use investigational drugs, biological products and devices not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Under House Bill 45, if these patients want to try medications that have not completed the rigorous FDA testing and approval process, they should be permitted to make that choice. As part of the bill, a manufacturer would be permitted to make these products available to eligible patients once the products successfully complete the first phase of clinical trials.
Physicians would not be held liable for recommending experimental products to their terminally ill patients, nor would the bill create a private cause of action against the manufacturers that make the drugs. While the bill does not require insurers to cover these products, they may do so at their own discretion.
“Right to Try” laws are in effect in 37 other states.
To honor those who have fought breast cancer or are fighting it now, the fountain at the Pennsylvania State Capitol’s East Wing was dyed pink on Monday for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink fountain is also a reminder to all women of the importance of mammograms and early detection. Every day, 37 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Pennsylvania, and more than 2,000 Pennsylvania women die each year from the disease. However, more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors are alive today in the United States.
|
| |
| Committee Updates |
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Judiciary:
SB 260 (Ward) – Crime Victims Act/crime victim representation on the Victims’ Services Advisory Committee within Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
SB 741 (Greenleaf) – Title 42/funding for courts and indigent legal services.
SB 222 (Greenleaf) – Title 42/additional Common Pleas judges.
Wednesday, Oct. 4
Judiciary Subcommittee on Family Law:
Informational meeting on HB 1644.
|
| Rep. Delozier in the Community |
•This week I hosted, along with MidPenn Legal Services and the Cumberland County Bar Association, the third of four free “Older and Wiser” informational seminars. The events, of which one more is scheduled, feature topics geared toward older adults, their families and caregivers. The last session will focus on learning about last wills and living trusts. It is set for Thursday, Oct. 12, from 9-10:30 a.m., at the Essex House, 20 N. 12th St., Lemoyne. Seating is limited. Please RSVP in advance by contacting my office at 717-761-4665, or register online at RepDelozier.com.
•Upper Allen Township Fire Company celebrated its 75th anniversary earlier this week. It was initially formed to protect the Grantham area from the possible effects of an attack during World War II. As part of the ceremonies, I prepared a House citation for the department congratulating and thanking it for its service.
•The Joseph T. Simpson Public Library, located in Mechanicsburg Borough, held its annual municipal, school and elected officials breakfast. All who attended were updated on recent library programs and services. We also heard success stories from library users. It was very informative, and I encourage everyone to use our public libraries!
• The New Cumberland Olde Towne Association sponsored its 32nd annual Apple Festival in New Cumberland Borough Park last Saturday. It was a beautiful day to take in the family fun activities and enjoy the large selection of apple treats.
|
|
|
|
|
| Office Locations |
| 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill PA 17011 | Phone: (717) 761-4665 |
| 141 East Wing, PO Box 202088, Harrisburg PA 17120-2088 | Phone: 717-783-5282 |
| Email: sdelozie@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
|
|
