Baker: Judiciary Committee Advances Key Legislation for Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG - The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), approved five bills addressing a range of issues affecting Pennsylvanians.

Senate Bill 111, sponsored by Sen. David Argall (R-29), would allow the Department of Corrections to hire and promote corrections officers who reside out of state, helping to expand the pool of qualified candidates for the commonwealth's correctional facilities.

"When our prisons are short-staffed, it exacerbates problems of security and safety that we are obligated to address," said Baker. "By removing residency requirements, we expand the pool of applicants and increase the chances of filling the required complement of officers."

Criminal minds always seem quick to adapt to changing economics and to exploit new vulnerabilities. Since the pandemic, there has been a resurgence in the theft of catalytic converters, which contain metals valuable in recycling. Businesses that maintain vehicle fleets are particularly attractive targets. Such thefts are costly inconveniences. By modernizing existing law, Senate Bill 914, sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry (R-6), could improve law enforcement's access to the tools they need to conduct investigations and curtail the ability of thieves to profit from such crime.

House Bill 18, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Olsommer (R-139), would require courts to convene a review hearing within 60 days of a petition to modify or terminate a guardianship order, strengthening protections for vulnerable Pennsylvanians under guardianship.

"Our intention is to ensure a timely and effective determination, which takes stress and strife from the process and better serves the interests of the incapacitated individual," said Baker.

Pennsylvania has a troubling inequity in our custody law, where a deployed individual can have that status used against them in child custody cases. House Bill 414, sponsored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-160), would clarify custody matters for parents subject to military deployment, ensuring that deployed parents maintain their rights and responsibilities.

House Bill 1406, sponsored by Rep. Chris Rabb (D-200), would address theft of real property through title or deed fraud, grading such offenses as a felony of the second degree to reflect the seriousness and sophistication of these crimes.

"By defining the specific offense, it becomes easier for prosecutors to pursue and win cases and thereby obtain justice for the victims," said Baker.

The five bills will now advance to the full Senate for consideration.

CONTACT: Cara Laudenslager