GOVERNOR SIGNS KEY BILL TO ADDRESS DRUG OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC

Gov. Corbett has approved legislation that will assist the commonwealth in addressing the substance abuse and drug overdose epidemic. On Sept. 30, the Governor signed SB 1164 (sponsored by Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware) into law as Act 139 of 2014. The act will increase access to Naloxone, a rescue drug that can reverse the effects of a drug overdose, and allow its administration by medical service providers, law enforcement, and friends and family of someone suffering from an overdose. In addition, Act 139 offers immunity from prosecution for individuals who transport a person experiencing a drug overdose or report in good faith a drug overdose to access medical attention. The enactment fulfills major provisions of the CCAP overdose priority.

Another critical component of a comprehensive strategy to address the drug overdose crisis remains before the General Assembly - establishing a prescription drug monitoring program, as contained in SB 1180, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) and HB 1694, introduced by Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga). A drug monitoring system would afford prescribers and pharmacists a means of assuring that individuals who legitimately need pain medication have access to it, while also offering a means of identifying potential abusers. Senate Bill 1180 was reported by the House Health Committee on Sept. 24 by a 23-1 vote, following unanimous adoption of an amendment that clarifies who would have access to the information in the database, how notice would be provided to patients and how data would be retained in the database. Senate Bill 1180 now goes to the full House for consideration, while HB 1694 is currently before the Senate Health and Public Welfare Committee. 

HEROIN & OPIOIDS WORKGROUP RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED

On Sept. 30, in addition to signing Act 139 (see article above), Gov. Corbett approved recommendations made by the Heroin and Other Opioids Workgroup.  The workgroup, which was established by the Governor in May, tasked the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs with bringing together state agencies and other stakeholders to identify strategies to improve the state's response to heroin and prescription opioid overdoses. 

CENTER FOR RURAL PA RELEASES REPORT ON DRUG OVERDOSE HEARINGS

On Sept. 23, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bicameral, bipartisan legislative agency, released its report on the commonwealth's heroin and prescription drug epidemic. The report summarized information gathered at four statewide hearings held in July and August in Berks, Cambria, Clarion, and Lycoming counties. During the hearings, testimony was received from families of those with substance abuse, recovering addicts, elected officials, law enforcement, and medical and treatment providers, including several county drug and alcohol administrators, educators and students, and business leaders.

RIGHT-TO-KNOW LEGISLATION PASSES SENATE

The state Senate has given its unanimous approval to SB 444, a comprehensive amendment to the state's Right-to-Know Law. Senate Bill 444, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), addresses several needs for updates to Act 3 of 2008 that have emerged as agencies gained experience with the law. The bill, and an amendment adopted prior to final passage, were developed in consultation with stakeholders, including CCAP and other local government groups.

Senate Bill 444 adds a new fee structure for commercial requests, as well as a new section defining limits on inmate access to records. It further clarifies the law's application to third-party contractors and clarifies that economic development authorities and industrial development authorities are considered local agencies subject to the law. Agencies would also be permitted to require pre-payment if duplication costs are expected to be more than $50, rather than $100 as under current law. Finally, the bill makes changes to the time frame for the appeals process as well as other technical and clarifying changes.

HOUSE APPROVES BILL REMOVING BUFFER REQUIREMENTS

On Sept. 22, the state House of Representatives by a 119-79 vote gave its final approval to legislation that will remove the regulatory requirement for a 150-foot buffer for earth disturbance activity in a High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) watershed. The bill is part of CCAP's priority on waterway infrastructure and maintenance, in which counties are calling for a review of laws and regulations to assure environmental protection is balanced with sustainable land use and development.

CHILD PROTECTION BILL ADVANCES IN HOUSE

Senate Bill 27, one of the few remaining pieces of the larger package of child protective services legislation, was unanimously reported with amendment by the

House Children and Youth Committee on Sept. 24. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), requires licensed medical practitioners to provide county children and youth agencies with relevant medical information about a child when an assessment for protective services or child abuse investigations is conducted, or when a family has been accepted for services by the county. The legislation also requires a county agency to provide certain information related to assessments, investigations and services to a child's physician.

HOUSE PANEL MOVES FORWARD WITH SUNSHINE LAW AMENDMENTS

Several changes regarding executive sessions under the state's Sunshine Law were recently approved by the House State Government Committee. Under HB 1671, introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny), the option to hold executive sessions for employment-related discussions would be maintained for employees but deleted for public officers and appointees, and the scope further narrowed relating to matters of employment of a specific individual. A new option would allow an executive session to be held to discuss safety and security information reasonably likely to jeopardize security or preparedness if discussed in public. Finally, the bill includes a requirement to record executive sessions and to consult with a solicitor prior to holding an executive session.

An amendment offered by Rep. Saccone would allow an executive session to be held to discuss safety and security only if determined to "definitely" jeopardize public safety. The amendment also specifies that the recording of an executive session could be audio or video and must be retained for one year, but that those recordings would not subject to the Right-to-Know Law. The amendment was adopted, and the bill reported as amended, both by a vote of 14-10, with Republican members voting in favor of the amendment and Democratic members voting against.