Baker's Judiciary Committee advances bills prioritizing community safety

Mar. 22—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said two bills were advanced that are aimed at prioritizing community safety.

Senate Bill 1111, sponsored by Baker, would make technical changes to Megan's Law to ensure that individuals who are convicted of certain human trafficking offenses are subject to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender.

"The General Assembly made significant strides in efforts to combat human trafficking by the passage of Act 144 of 2022, which added certain human trafficking offenses to Megan's Law," said Baker, R-Lehman Township. "However, the changes in Senate Bill 1111 are necessary to ensure that individuals convicted of these offenses, as well as attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit those offenses, are subject to the same requirements as other sexual offenders."

Senate Bill 1120 aims to establish clear guidelines for courts when deciding what bail to set following an arrest. If a court believes that someone is a danger to public safety, they can't let that person go without any bail or with an unsecured monetary condition.

The bill also states that if a person fits the criteria of posing a threat to public safety, the arresting officer must bring them before the court for the purpose of setting bail. This includes individuals that were arrested for repeated violent crimes or major fentanyl traffickers.

"This bill is crucial in preventing the release of individuals arrested for fentanyl trafficking or repeat violent crimes back into our communities," Baker said. "By establishing clear guidelines for setting bail, individuals who pose a threat to public safety cannot be released without appropriate conditions. This measure helps to keep these criminals off the streets, safeguarding our communities from the potential harm they may cause."

Both bills are part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania. They now head to the full Senate for consideration.

Baker said Amendment A03634 adds two crimes relating to law enforcement to the list of circumstances that make a defendant a "person posing a threat to public safety."

The first is assault on a law enforcement officer, to include shooting at a police officer or making them come into contact with bodily fluid.

"You may recall Scranton Detective Kyle Gilmartin who, earlier this year, miraculously survived two gun shots to the head inflicted by an individual who was out on bail for previously assaulting a police officer," Baker said.

Baker said the second crime addressed is evading arrest on foot.

"You may remember Scranton Police Officer John Wilding, who was killed in the line of duty in 2015 while chasing three 17-year-old robbery suspects, leaving behind a young son and daughter," Baker said. "These situations are incredibly dangerous, not only for the police officer, but also for the public at large.

Baker said the additions also call attention to bail practices in Pennsylvania and the very real threats that law enforcement officers face every day on the job.

"Under this amendment, when an individual is charged with either of these offenses, the magistrate who sets bail will be prohibited from setting unsecured (non-monetary) bail or releasing the defendant on his own recognizance," Baker said. "It is important to note that the magistrate still maintains the discretion to set whatever amount of monetary bail he or she deems appropriate."

Rep. Pashinski hosts event on state programs, government services

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, on Friday hosted a legislative outreach event for residents in the community at the Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority's Lincoln Plaza.

"Pennsylvania has a wealth of resources for those who live here, which can make it hard for many to keep track of how much help is out there for them," Pashinski said. "I am glad my staff and I had the opportunity today to share details about programs spanning from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and PACE/PACENET, all the way to the Yellow Dot Program."

Pashinski, working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Treasury, also informed those in attendance about unclaimed property and the money owed to them of which they are unaware.

"What is so great about unclaimed property is that it is a free service, with no cost to claim the property, meaning those who are eligible will receive money owed them," Pashinski said. "These physical assets often include collectible coins, jewelry, military medals, stamps, antiques, savings bonds or other physical items. My office is always open to assist those in our community with these and other programs. That is what we are here for."

Rep. Cabell to host shredding/cleanup event April 6 at Luzerne County Fairgrounds

In an effort to help residents with the disposal of personal paperwork and other items, Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Butler Township, will host a shredding/cleanup event at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds in Dallas on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fairgrounds are located at 3605 State Route 118.

"My staff and I are pleased we can provide these services to residents at no cost," Cabell said Cabell. "Events like this have become very popular as folks take advantage of the opportunity to shred sensitive documents to guard against identity theft or safely dispose of old tires."

Residents are asked to remain in their vehicles while Cabell's staff unloads items for disposal.

Items to be accepted include:

—Paperwork — Limit of four copy-paper-sized boxes per vehicle.

—Old tires — Up to four tires from a passenger vehicle, pickup truck or SUV that must be off the rim and clean.

—Torn or faded U.S. flags — Collected by Harveys Lake American Legion for proper disposal.

In addition, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge will be accepting donations of canned pet food and Domestic Violence Service Center will be accepting donations of personal hygiene products.

For information, call Rep. Cabell's district office in Dallas at 570-675-6000.

Rep. Watro to host PENNVEST informational event on April 11

Rep. Dane Watro, R-Kline Township, invites municipal officials interested in learning about PENNVEST to an information exchange he is hosting in Schuylkill County on Thursday, April 11.

The free event will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the McAdoo Fire Company, 51 N. Hancock St., McAdoo.

The PENNVEST program funds sewer, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth. The session will be conducted by a PENNVEST project specialist who will discuss the financing process.

For more information, contact Watro's office at 570-453-1344.

Rep. Pashinski lauds $14,000 in law enforcement funding for Wilkes University

A $14,000 state grant to enhance law enforcement is heading to Wilkes University from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski announced recently.

"Campus police officers are sworn police employed by a college or university to protect the private or public property of the campus and surrounding areas and the people who live, work and visit it," said Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre. "Thanks to this funding and the Shapiro Administration's part in awarding Wilkes University this money, students, faculty, staff and parents of students attending the university can feel safer when attending. This funding will help campus police protect, efficiently and effectively, those enrolled and those who work there, and I am proud to have helped acquire this funding for my Alma mater to ensure a heightened level of campus and community safety."

Pashinski said the goal of the funding is to support Act 120 training and recruitment activities for law enforcement officers. Act 120 is a mandatory training program for municipal police officers in Pennsylvania which is provided through the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.

Supported by funding from the Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program established under Act 54 of 2022, eligible law enforcement agencies that do not cover the costs of Act 120 training can request up to $7,000 per new officer to support costs associated with the training, or, if they currently hire officers that are already Act 120-trained or the agency already covers training costs, apply for up $5,000 per new officer to support stipends, signing bonuses or marketing efforts.

Priority consideration in awards goes to law enforcement agencies serving areas with high rates of violent crime and who have low clearance rates for violent crimes.

The solicitation will remain open for eligible law enforcement agencies to submit applications until all funding is committed. Awards will be announced on a rolling basis as applications are considered.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.