 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
| News You Can Use |
| Legislative Headlines |
Protecting the Rights of Crime Victims
Understanding the struggle many crime victims face when seeking justice, lawmakers have been working to advance a package of bills designed to protect the rights of crime victims.
Last week, the House Judiciary Committee approved five bills for consideration by the full House. The package includes:
• House Bill 276, a joint resolution I am sponsoring known as Marsy’s Law, would add a victims bill of rights to the Pennsylvania Constitution.
• House Bill 502 would ensure victims can attend proceedings against their abusers.
• House Bill 503 would help victims and witnesses with intellectual disabilities or autism testify in court.
• House Bill 504 would shield rape victims from irrelevant cross examination.
• House Bill 505 would strengthen protections for young abuse victims.
Just as those accused of a crime have certain rights, House Republicans are ensuring crime victims are treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire criminal justice process.
Free Admission at Several Local Museums
To help the Commonwealth celebrate its 338th birthday on Charter Day, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will offer free admission to the State Museum in Harrisburg and many historic sites and museums along the Pennsylvania Trails of History on Sunday, March 10.
Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. Once each year, the Pennsylvania State Archives displays the original document, for a limited time, at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. For the remainder of the year the charter is safeguarded in a special vault within the archives.
Charter Day celebrates the founding of the Commonwealth and gives visitors to The State Museum of Pennsylvania a rare opportunity to see the original Charter of Pennsylvania written in 1681. This year, documents relating to the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote, including Pennsylvania’s copy of the “Joint Resolution of Congress Proposing an Amendment to the United States Constitution Extending the Right of Suffrage to Women” and Pennsylvania’s “Joint Resolution for Ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution” will be on display. The documents will be on display until 1 p.m. Friday, March 15.
For a complete list of the participating museums and historic sites in this year’s celebration, click here.
Budget Hearings Continue
The second full week of budget hearings wrapped up on Thursday, with members of the House Appropriations Committee asking agency and department officials a variety of questions about executive functions, programs and efficiencies. These questions, along with submitted written testimony, will serve as the foundation for budget negotiations this spring.
This week’s hearings featured the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as the departments of Transportation (PennDOT), Corrections, General Services, Health, and Drug and Alcohol Programs, as well as the Liquor Control Board and the Gaming Control Board.
Next week concludes the House’s budget hearings with appearances by the departments of Education, Agriculture, and Military and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Public School Employees’ Retirement System and State Employees’ Retirement System.
The full schedule is available here. The site also includes links to video of the archived hearings once available.
Bill to Save on State Pensions
Last week, the House passed House Bill 60 to prohibit future hires of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), which serves three states, from participating in the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS).
The SRBC was created by federal law in 1970 that also was adopted by the legislatures of Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania.
According to the Independent Fiscal Office – a non-partisan entity created to provide unbiased information to the state Legislature – there were 65 employees of the SRBC who were active, contributing members of SERS in 2017.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
|
| |
| Rep. Delozier in the Community |
• I attended the Wildcat Night last Friday to benefit the Wildcat Foundation. The evening included entertainment by Mechanicsburg students. The Wildcat Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the education, cultural, wellness and athletic programs of the Mechanicsburg Area School District.
• At the Lisburn Community Fire Company’s annual Member Appreciation Banquet, several firefighters and behind-the-scenes personnel were recognized for their many hours of service. Also, I presented the fire company with a House citation recognizing its 65 years of service to the community. Thank you to everyone who works so diligently to keep us safe. You all are appreciated.
• The Washington Fire Company in Mechanicsburg also held its annual awards banquet last weekend. I presented the fire company with a House citation recognizing its 160 years of service. It is always a pleasure to thank the volunteers for the countless hours that they put in and congratulate those who received special awards. Thank you to all who serve to keep us safe. Without them, our communities would be at risk.
• Marsy’s Law of Pennsylvania presented me with its 2019 Guardian of Victims’ Rights Award. Earlier this year, I introduced Marsy’s Law legislation in the House to give victims constitutional rights similar to those of the accused. The bill is expected to be considered by the full House in March.
• Earlier this week, I spoke to the Spectrum Friends, an adult autism support group. I talked about a variety of issues impacting them. With proper training and ongoing support, many adults with autism lead productive, independent lives.
|
|
|
|
|
| Office Locations |
| 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill PA 17011 | Phone: (717) 761-4665 |
| 107 Ryan Office Building, PO Box 202088, Harrisburg PA 17120-2088 | Phone: 717-783-5282 |
| Email: sdelozie@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
|
|
