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In this Update:
Building a Safer Pennsylvania: What We’ve Done to Fight Crime
Every October, we observe Crime Prevention Month. As citizens have expressed higher levels of concern about crime and safety, state legislators have been working diligently to bolster law enforcement, extend community protections, and upgrade services and supports for crime victims and vulnerable populations. The detailed work of crafting and approving reforms doesn’t typically earn much in the way of headlines or public attention. Yet, throughout this two-year legislative session, substantial progress has been made on a wide range of criminal justice and public protection measures. In the state Senate, Republicans have set the agenda for action. We have considered the perspectives of law enforcement, the courts, criminal justice professionals, community advocates, local officials and others. We have integrated the views of those involved or interested in the administration of justice, enforcement of law, crimefighting strategies and reintegrating offenders back into society. Lengthy sentences, when disproportionate to the severity of the offenses, impose excessive costs on taxpayers. It is possible to hold individuals accountable and lessen sentences for non-violent crimes without sacrificing community safety. We have struck this delicate balance with measures like our probation reform law and clean slate, which remove barriers to rehabilitation and offer a way out of criminal lifestyles for those who want to become productive citizens. Changes to the juvenile justice system are designed to incorporate proven methods for improving youth outcomes and addressing significant gaps in current practices. By improving the law, we have taken important steps to give young people a true second chance. While we will continue to focus on data-drive solutions that prevent crimes from happening, we also remain steadfast in our efforts to protect communities when they do occur. Violent criminals who pose a threat to public safety should never be released on unsecured bail, and we have passed a measure prohibiting that practice. Prevailing research shows that putting more police on the streets is one of the most effective tools for reducing crime. While other states argue about defunding the police, we authorized funding to add 100 state troopers. This is particularly important as more communities in rural areas rely on the state police as their primary protection. Building on our efforts to prevent human trafficking, we prioritized funding for the creation of a specialized unit of prosecutors and investigators within the Office of Attorney General that will be dedicated to combatting this deplorable behavior. Measures were approved to require sexual offender registration for those convicted of human trafficking or sexual assault by a sports official. We also strengthened services to better protect and help victims recover, especially children. In this high technology age, we must persistently and agilely move to combat the use of artificial intelligence in the alarming rise of online child pornography and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials. The Senate acted swiftly to modify gaps in existing law to ensure that police and prosecutors have the tools to combat this growing crime. It is also critical to protect older Pennsylvanians from exploitation and abuse, which is why we have tightened guardianship laws to protect the elderly and dependent against financial predators who prey upon them. We have taken multiple approaches to combating the opioid crisis including helping those caught in the cycle of addiction and aligning our drug scheduling practices so we respond quickly when new drugs emerge on our streets. We also advanced a measure to make repeat drug dealers face harsher penalties when the poison they push results in the victim’s death. New laws are now on the books to hold wrongdoers accountable and safeguard our communities in every corner of the commonwealth. The Senate expanded the scope of our retail theft law to help businesses that face organized stealing and looting. The new crime of “mail theft” was created to help consumers cheated by porch pirates. We also enacted out-of-the-box solutions to address high crime rates in particular regions, such as establishing a special prosecutor for crimes committed on Philadelphia’s mass transit. Criminal justice is never an area for declaring “mission accomplished” or final victory. Even with comprehensive reforms, new problems and legal loopholes will always emerge over time. This requires proper oversight and vigilance. As much as we accomplished this past session, Senate Republicans will strive to advance the best laws, policies, and funding priorities to build a safer Pennsylvania for everyone. PA Families to Receive More Support Saving for the Future
Because of a bill Senate Republicans passed, families saving for educational expenses and costs for those with disabilities could soon have more support from their employers. A tax credit will encourage employers to contribute to their employees’ PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts and PA ABLE accounts. Beginning January 2025, employers will receive a 25% tax credit on matching employer contributions of up to $500 per employee per year. The law helps employers offer their employees a significant benefit so they can attract the best workers while receiving a financial incentive themselves. It supports Senate Republicans’ priorities of empowering Pennsylvania families and protecting Pennsylvania jobs. New Law Creates Rape Kit Tracking System
Having received unanimous support from the General Assembly, a bill to establish a statewide rape kit evidence tracking system is now law. Act 122 of 2024 allows survivors to track the status of their rape kits throughout the testing process, from collection to destruction. With this legislation, Pennsylvania joins 35 states and the District of Columbia that have already implemented rape kit tracking systems. It brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors provision of the recent Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. To comply with VAWA, the law provides a waiver for survivors who file untimely claims for compensation due to delays in rape kit testing. Survivors would not need to undergo an appeal process for consideration of this waiver. Bill Giving Parents Info About Student Tick Removal Now Law
Legislation giving parents the opportunity to access important information about their child’s health was approved by the Senate and is now law. It requires schools to notify a parent or guardian if a tick is removed from a student and provide the tick to them for testing. When discovering a tick on yourself, a family member or a pet, it’s important to send it to the Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab at East Stroudsburg University. For free, the tick can be tested for common illnesses to provide you and your health care provider with valuable information about potential exposure. For more than a decade, Pennsylvania has had more cases of Lyme disease than any other state in the nation. While Lyme disease is reason enough to take precautions, ticks also carry a host of other illnesses with undesirable symptoms. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5
Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote. If you would like to vote with a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received. Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues. Touring the Van Scott Nature Reserve
The 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve is the headquarters of the Delaware Highlands Nature Conservancy and a place for people of all ages to explore and enjoy nature. Located in Beach Lake, Wayne County, the property features more than three miles of publicly accessible walking trails. The meadows provide important habitat for ground-nesting birds and pollinators, while the forests are home to a variety of wildlife and help to protect clean drinking water. This historic farm is a destination for residents and visitors that reflects our unique rural character.
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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