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News You Can Use
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| Resources for Women |
Both state and national headlines this past year have focused on the issues women face in society. From harassment to assault, either domestically or in the workplace or at school, it is incumbent for us to support victims who have faced such situations.
As a state lawmaker, I have been focused on further protecting victims of domestic violence, and my legislation to do so is now going to the governor. But I also realize that for victims, legislation may not be the only answer.
That’s why I want to raise awareness of some local resources the women of Bucks County can turn to for assistance if they believe they have been assaulted. They include:
- 911. Please contact your local law enforcement to report a crime.
- A Woman’s Place is a community-based social change organization committed to the empowerment of women and to ending intimate and domestic violence for all. Its hotline has been set up at 1-800-220-8166.
- Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. NOVA’s toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the 215 and 610 area codes. Professional staff and trained volunteers provide support to victims and their families helping them to deal with the initial trauma victimization may cause. Call 1-800-675-6900.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
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| Thank Your Local Fire Companies During Fire Prevention Month |
| Please take the time to thank your local fire company volunteers, including firefighters, fire police and auxiliary members who provide vital support assistance. |
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Domestic Violence Bill to be Signed Into Law Today
I just received word this afternoon (Friday) that my House Bill 2060, which protects victims of domestic violence, has been forwarded to the governor’s desk, and I’ve been told he plans to sign it into law today.
It’s important to remember that this bill takes firearms out of the hands of those criminally convicted of domestic violence within 24 hours. Additionally, it will take firearms away from someone who has a final Protection from Abuse (PFA) order entered against them. It will no longer allow firearms to be relinquished to friends or family members.
To read more about the legislation, click here.
Giving Students Flexibility for Graduation Requirements
As a way to ensure students get the most out of their educational experience, the House passed legislation this week that would remove the heavy focus on standardized testing as a requirement to graduate and instead allow students various options to show proficiency in pursuing their own career paths.
Senate Bill 1095 would provide Pennsylvania students with additional options to fulfill high school graduation requirements beyond the Keystone Exams. Students who do not score proficient on the Keystone Exams would be able to demonstrate their readiness to graduate through alternative routes.
Specifically, the bill outlines several commonsense options for assessing student performance while also giving teachers more flexibility with classroom instruction time. Some alternatives include a student’s successful completion of work-based learning programs, a service learning project, or an offer of full-time employment as evidence of post-secondary readiness.
As part of the bill, the Keystone Exam graduation requirement would be put on hold until the 2021-22 school year. The alternate graduation options in Senate Bill 1095 would take effect when that delay expires.
This legislation, which now goes back to the Senate, seeks to enhance a multi-bill package to expand career and technical education to benefit both students and employers looking to fill jobs in high-demand fields.
New Law Enhances Training, Oversight of Humane Officers
To help ensure the state’s animal cruelty laws are enforced in the fairest way possible, legislation has been signed into law to strengthen the training and oversight of Humane Society police officers.
Act 77 of 2018 increased initial and annual training hours for Humane Society police officers, and requires the training to include the proper procedure to file citations and warrants, including when and how to contact other law enforcement. Other provisions of the new law require training in farm operations and biosecurity, including at least one on-site visit to a working commercial farm operation. Any organization that employs Humane Society police officers will be subject to the state’s Right-to-Know Law.
Additionally, a Humane Society police officer must be a resident of Pennsylvania. If the
appointment of a Humane Society police officer is revoked in one county, it would be revoked in all counties.
House Passes Bill to Crack Down on Hazing
Legislation that seeks to better ensure the safety of students on college campuses by cracking down on hazing passed the House this week.
Senate Bill 1090 is a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s anti-hazing law to give law enforcement better tools to prosecute hazing-related activities and to encourage those nearby to call for assistance for someone who may need help.
Specifically, the bill would increase penalties for those involved in hazing; require schools to have policies and reporting procedures in place to stop hazing; and ensure that parents and students are provided with information related to the issue. The legislation also would establish clear parameters on hazing for organizations such as fraternities and sororities.
The legislation is named in memory of Tim Piazza, a Penn State student who died as a result of hazing in 2017 and was denied medical care for hours. The measure now heads back to the Senate for concurrence.
Look, Listen and Learn During Fire Prevention Week
The Office of State Fire Commissioner is urging residents to “look, listen and learn” as part of this year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week, which lasts through Saturday, Oct. 13.
With today’s homes being filled with synthetic materials that burn hotter and faster, residents may have as little as two minutes to safely exit a burning structure.
The theme focuses on three basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire: Look for places fire could start; listen for the sound of the smoke alarm; and learn two ways out of every room.
A home escape plan includes working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom and near all sleeping areas. It also includes two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place that is a safe distance from the home.
For additional information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.
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| Office Locations |
| 1032 N. Easton Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902-1055 | Phone: (215) 489-2126 |
| 141 East Wing, PO Box 202143, Harrisburg PA 17120-2143 | Phone: (717) 772-1413 |
| Email: mquinn@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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