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In this Update:
Bill Requiring Parental Notification of School Weapons Incidents Set to Become Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property is set to become law. Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill, which first passed the Senate in May, received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. New Protections Against Telemarketers Approved by Senate
The Senate approved legislation to better protect Pennsylvanians from scammers and other deceitful telemarketers. Senate Bill 992 prohibits telemarketing calls being made on Sundays and either before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on every other day of the week. It also expands the law to cover text messages, voicemails and “ringless” voicemails – tools often used by telemarketers to evade existing restrictions. In addition, it establishes penalties for both telemarketers and the companies that hire them for illegal activity. The bill would also prohibit the use of artificial intelligence or fake caller IDs to deceive or defraud consumers. A violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 or $3,000 if the person contacted is age 60 or older. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Approves Bill to Clarify District Attorney Succession, Strengthen Uniformity Across Counties
Public confidence in the office of district attorney depends on a transparent, predictable succession process. The Senate approved legislation I sponsored that provides clearer and more uniform procedures for filling vacancies in the office of district attorney across counties. Senate Bill 418 establishes that when a vacancy occurs in the office of district attorney across counties, the first assistant district attorney assumes the position for the remainder of the unexpired term. It also prohibits home‑rule counties from enacting their own laws regarding the office or the process of filling vacancies, creating a uniform mechanism that applies statewide, resolving conflicting interpretations that have arisen in some counties. This legislation ensures consistency across Pennsylvania, so residents can have confidence that the transition in their district attorney’s office is clear, fair and predictable. It is now before the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation Addressing Public Safety, Child Protection, Estate Law and Vape Regulation
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a series of bipartisan measures aimed at strengthening public safety, protecting children, improving estate processes and cracking down on illegal vape products in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 911 provides for coordination and resources that should prove useful in raising the rate for prosecuting and solving violent and deadly crimes by creating the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program to provide grants to law enforcement agencies. Senate Bill 1050 strengthens mandated reporter laws to ensure that cases involving child sexual abuse material — including AI-generated deepfakes— are reported, regardless of whether the material was created by a minor or adult. House Bill 1176 updates the law governing unclaimed property and intestate estates, making it easier for heirs to reclaim assets held by the Treasury and directing unclaimed estates without heirs to benefit community foundations rather than being turned over to the commonwealth. House Bill 1425 puts in place some important means for overseeing and regulating Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) by establishing a directory to protect young people from exposure to harmful nicotine products and ensure the products entering the commonwealth comply with federal law. All four bills now move to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Votes to Eliminate Unnecessary Boards and Commissions
Legislation to streamline state government operations by eliminating outdated, unnecessary and inactive boards, commissions and advisory committees was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 755 would eliminate 13 government entities that are expired, dormant, no longer have any members or are unnecessary. Examples include the Greater Pennsylvania Council that has been long dormant; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, whose duties were all assumed by a different committee; the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, which expired in 1987; and the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which has produced no specific beneficial outcomes while continuing to expend taxpayer dollars. Many of the commonwealth’s nearly 400 boards, commissions and advisory committees do not publicly share information about their duties, meetings or other activities, raising concerns about transparency. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Make Your Voice Heard Tuesday on Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day, the last chance of the year for voters to weigh in on races for local, county and judicial positions. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. College Mascots and Disability Advocates Participate in Awareness Day
The rotunda was packed as the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) mascots charged into the Capitol, including Archie McGrowl with the Misericordia University Cougars. Rep. Jonathan Fritz and I also got to see Dan Pahls of Wayne County, who was in town with the PA Orthotic Prosthetic Society and So Every BODY Can Move advocating for insurance coverage and participating in Disability Awareness Day. Internship Opportunity for Students Interested in Public Policy Careers
College students interested in careers in public policy can apply for summer internships in Harrisburg through the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation. Internships are awarded through an essay contest. Applicants must write between 1,500 and 2,500 words about a controversial policy currently under consideration by the General Assembly. The 2026 contest asks applicants to write about the pros and cons of data centers, and what the state’s role should be. Applicants have until Jan. 23, 2026 to submit their essay and other materials to the foundation. The winners will receive a cash prize and placement in paid state government summer internships in Harrisburg for eight to 10 weeks.
Please do not reply to this email. If you would like to contact Senator Baker, submit a web contact form here: https://www.senatorbaker.com/contact-me-2/ |
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