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In this Update:
Senate Approves Measure to Ensure Incarcerated Military Veterans Receive Treatment for Trauma
With some incarcerated veterans suffering from service-related, trauma-based conditions, the state Senate recently approved a resolution I introduced calling for a state commission to study if they’re receiving adequate treatment. Senate Resolution 196 directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to study whether military veterans in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI) are being actively and adequately treated. Coleman specifically wants to know about PTSD, TBI and other trauma-based treatments among veterans because their military service may make them susceptible to developing these conditions. The resolution calls on the commission to collaborate with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and the Office of Attorney General. Learn more about the resolution, including how long the commission will have to complete the study, by reading the rest of this article on my website. Senate Committee Approves My Bill to Notify Parents when Weapons are Found at Schools
Parents deserve to know when a weapon is discovered at the school or school-sponsored event their child attends. That’s the sentiment behind a bill I introduced that was approved last week by the Senate Education Committee. Senate Bill 971 would require schools and school entities to notify parents and guardians within 24 hours about an incident involving the possession of a weapon on school property. The bill allows for targeted notifications when appropriate. If a weapon is found for example at a school dance or on the bus of a sports team, the alert may be sent to parents and guardians of students at the dance or on the team. The notification may be limited to parents and guardians of those students associated with the school building, school-sponsored activity or transportation where the incident with the weapon happened. My proposal also would require the school to notify teachers, administrators and employees who work at or are associated with the school building, activity or travel where the weapon-related incident took place. The bill would prohibit the notification to parents, guardians and school employees from containing personally identifiable information about the student who brought the weapon. The prohibition includes a commonsense exception for notification of the parents or guardians of the student found in possession of the weapon. Learn more about this legislation by reading the full article on my website. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Workforce Development Programs
The Senate passed legislation to make Pennsylvania more attractive to employers and improve workforce development programs. Senate Bill 761 would require the Department of Labor and Industry and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis to share data that is already collected with local workforce development boards in a timely fashion. Delayed information and data sharing limit these boards in efficiently analyzing programs and policy. Having access to workforce data on wages, new hires and unemployment claimants enables programs to be modified so Pennsylvanians can succeed professionally. The bill also calls for technical assistance and support for the improved data sharing model so local workforce development boards can use the information. Bill to Improve Early Literacy Receives Senate Support
To give students the best chance of success, the Senate passed a bill that would improve early literacy using a three-pronged approach. Senate Bill 801 would:
Half of Pennsylvania’s fourth grade students read below their grade level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s ability to succeed. Senate Votes to Expand Access to Benefits for Disabled Veterans
Legislation to exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth programs or benefits received Senate support. Senate Bill 126 would ensure veterans who receive disability compensation would not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, Education Gratuity Program, Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and Military Relief Assistance Program. The bill would also extend the exclusion of the veterans’ compensation benefits to their unmarried surviving spouses. Jumpstart Your Child’s Education Savings
Saving for your child’s education can be daunting, but Keystone Scholars can jumpstart education savings for Pennsylvania children. The first program of its kind in the country, Keystone Scholars provides a $100 investment for post-high school education for every child born in Pennsylvania since Jan. 1, 2019. It can be used to pay for collegiate studies, technical school training and apprenticeship programs. Claim your child’s money, which is funded by surplus investment earnings from the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Opening a companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account can also help to save for education-related expenses. PA 529 accounts have tax advantages and do not impact eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Antlerless Deer Licenses for Sale Starting June 24
For wildlife management units (WMUs) 1B, 2G and 3A, antlerless deer licenses go on sale for residents Monday, June 24, at 8 a.m. Licenses for residents of all other WMUs go on sale Thursday, June 27, at 8 a.m. They will be guaranteed until July 7. Unsold licenses will be available for nonresidents on July 8 at 8 a.m. One tag will be available per hunter in the first round of sales. The second round of sales begins July 22 at 8 a.m. for residents and nonresidents alike on a first come, first served basis. Read more about all four rounds of license purchase. Resident antlerless deer licenses cost $6.97, and nonresident antlerless deer licenses cost $26.97. Purchase a license online or in-store at a license issuing agent. June is Pet Preparedness Month
Just as it’s important to have an emergency plan for our family, it’s also smart to think ahead for our pets so they can be safe even in unforeseen circumstances. Here are some steps to take:
Learn more about how to make sure your pets are prepared and protected.
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