PBA-Supported Child Custody Bill Passes House

House Bill 1639, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Manderino (D-Montgomery and Philadelphia), was passed by the House 191-0 on June 14. The bill, which the PBA vigorously supported, amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) and Title 42 (Judiciary) to comprehensively revise Pennsylvania's child custody laws. The legislation specifies that custody awards must be based on the best interest of the child. Best interest determinations must be based on consideration of all relevant factors, a number of which are specified, and weighted consideration must be given to factors that impact the child's safety. The court must state its reasons for the custody decision on the record. The bill also includes a framework for a court to use when making decisions in child relocation cases.

Additional information on the bills, as well as other legislation and state Capitol happenings of interest to the PBA, is available by e-mailing the PBA Legislative Department and by checking the PBA Legislative Boxscore.

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PBA President Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee

The following article was copied from the January 4, 2009 PBA E-News:

PBA President Testifies Before the House Judiciary Committee

On Dec. 29, by invitation, PBA President Clifford E. Haines testified before the House Judiciary Committee on bills and issues supported by the PBA that are now before the committee. Specifically, President Haines testified as to the bar's position in favor of the following measures:

• House Bill 1956, sponsored by Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland), the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, which updates the Uniform Arbitration Act promulgated by the Uniform Law Commission in 1955 and adopted in Pennsylvania;
  
  
• HB 967, sponsored by Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia), which amends the Adoption Act to include several additional grounds for termination of parental rights, thereby helping to foster permanency for children and consistency with the Juvenile Act and the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act;
  
  
• Senate Bill 628, sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), which prohibits the imposition of the death sentence in cases of mental retardation, defines mental retardation and specifies relevant procedures;
  
  
• Merit selection of appellate justices and judges in Pennsylvania, presently called for by HB 1619 and HB 1621, sponsored by Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny), noting that the PBA requests, as the organization designated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as most broadly representative of the interest of lawyers in Pennsylvania, that it have identified representation on any commission that selects qualified individuals to be appellate justices and judges;
  
  
• HB 1079, sponsored by Rep. Ronald Waters (D-Philadelphia), which increases juror compensation from $9 daily for the first three days and $25 daily thereafter to $40 daily; and
  
  
• HB 1411, sponsored by Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York), which bans the use of live animals for targets at trap shoots or block shoots;
  

Haines also discussed the formation of a PBA commission to study the need for state constitutional revision.

Additional information on the bills, as well as other legislation and state Capitol happenings of interest to the PBA is available by e-mailing the PBA Legislative Department and by checking the PBA Legislative Boxscore.

Pictured at right is Haines with members of the House Judiciary Committee.

"Get Help Now" Program Praised

The following was sent via PBA E-News

'Get Help Now, Pennsylvania' and 'Wills for Heroes' Earn Praise at National Day of Service and Remembrance Event in Pittsburgh

Gov. Edward G. Rendell has praised lawyer volunteers for their time and commitment to providing community service through "Get Help Now, Pennsylvania."

During the Get Help Now, Pennsylvania program, legal and financial volunteers at 19 locations throughout the state provided free assistance and referrals to Pennsylvanians who have been affected by the financial downturn. During the 10-week program, more than 800 state residents received help from more than 1,000 legal and financial professionals who gave a combined 5,000 hours of voluntary service.

"We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Bar Association, local bar associations and the financial community for answering the call to service in such a powerful way through Get Help Now, Pennsylvania," Rendell said during a ceremony on Sept. 11 at the City/County Building in Pittsburgh.

Rendell said he applauds "the many volunteers who, without fanfare or recognition, faithfully work on a regular basis to better the lives of others and strengthen their communities."

Get Help Now, Pennsylvania was created in response to President and Mrs. Obama's call for Americans to pursue public service to honor the thousands of Americans who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Gov. Rendell and First Lady Judge Marjorie Rendell called upon the legal and financial professionals to focus Pennsylvania's efforts on the needs of those who are suffering during these difficult economic times.

"Many of the people who came to the Get Help Now sites were without hope," said Clifford E. Haines, PBA president. "They had tried to find a way to get out of the bad situations they were in, but they did not know where else to turn. Our volunteers were able to listen to the individuals and provide practical information and resources. It was a win-win for both parties - the people who needed help received it, and the people who gave the help felt good about helping."

Haines thanked local bar associations that opened their buildings to residents taking advantage of the program and that recruited lawyer volunteers to staff the program.

During the Sept. 11 ceremony, Gov. Rendell, who was joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, also praised the "Wills for Heroes" program. Wills for Heroes is a public service project of the PBA Young Lawyers Division. Lawyer volunteers involved in Wills for Heroes have helped more than 500 Pennsylvania police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders prepare wills, living wills and powers of attorney to ensure their families are protected should the unexpected occur.

"President Obama asked all Americans to make meaningful community service a part of their lives, and people are answering that call," LaHood said.

PBA E-News: June 2009

Last Call: PBA Annual Meeting, Women's Conference and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Annual Meeting

Foundation to Honor Philadelphia Judge Annette Rizzo with Goffman Award at PBA Annual Meeting

Savannah Is Site of July 16 - 19 PBA Family Law Section 2009 Summer Meeting

PBA Young Lawyers Division Hosts First U.S. Supreme Court Admissions Ceremony

State Legislature Gets Back to Business

July/August Pennsylvania Lawyer Magazine Looks at Job Finding, Job Keeping Attention Writers: The Pennsylvania Lawyer Magazine's Short Story Fiction Contest

Now Available: June 15 Bar News 'Court Summaries' PBI Presents 'Advocacy for the Ages' PBA Future Meetings

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PBA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh

(reprinted from April edition of PBA E-News)

The 2009 PBA Annual Meeting takes place June 2 - 4 at the Hilton Pittsburgh. Members won't want to miss the chance to explore some of the latest legal developments highlighted in the following CLE programs:

-- "Basic Consumer Bankruptcy Issues," 1.5 substantive hours CLE credit

-- "Chapter 11 Fundamentals," 1.5 substantive hours CLE credit--

"Fair Debt Collection in Pennsylvania," 1 substantive hour CLE credit

-- "A Donation Is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Fundraising Considerations in Challenging Times," 1.5 substantive hours CLE credit

-- "What's Hot in Elder Law and How It Affects Your Clients," 1 substantive hour CLE credit

-- "Developing and Presenting Your Case: A Case Study of 'A Few Good Men,'" 3 substantive hours CLE credit

-- "Family Law: New Rules, New Strategies in Tough Economic Times," 1 substantive hour CLE edit

-- "Saving the Family Home in the Subprime Mortgage Crisis Climate," 1 substantive hour CLE credit

The Annual Reception, Dinner and Dance welcoming Clifford E. Haines, incoming president, and honoring C. Dale McClain, outgoing president, begins at 6:30 p.m. on June 3. Dress is black tie-optional.

The House of Delegates Meeting begins at 9 a.m. on June 4.

Descriptions of CLE courses and a complete schedule for the Annual Meeting are included in the online brochure. Register soon. Hotel room group rates are $130 per room, per night, single or double occupancy. Group rates are guaranteed only until May 1. Link to the hotel Web site. Reservations received after May 1 will be accepted on a space available/rate available basis.

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New Leaders Elected in House and Senate

(reprinted from December edition of PBA E-News)

Democrat and Republican caucuses in the House and Senate have elected new leaders for the 2009-10 legislative session, as follows:

Senate Republicans

- Majority Leader: Dominic Pileggi
- Appropriations Chairman: Jake Corman
- Whip: Jane Orie
- Caucus Chairman: Mike Waugh
- Caucus Secretary: Rob Robbins

Senate Democrats

- Minority Leader: Bob Mellow
- Appropriations Chairman: Jay Costa
- Whip: Mike O'Pake
- Caucus Chairman: Vince Hughes
- Caucus Secretary: Sean Logan
- Policy Chair: Rich Kasunic
- Caucus Administrator: Christine Tartaglione

House Democrats

- Majority Leader: Todd Eachus
- Caucus Chairman: Mark Cohen
- Appropriations Chair: Dwight Evans
- Whip: Bill DeWeese
- Policy Chair: Mike Sturla
- Caucus Administrator: Ron Buxton
- Caucus Secretary: Jennifer Mann

House Republicans

- Minority Leader: Sam Smith
- Caucus Chairman: Sandy Major
- Appropriations Chair: Mario Civera
- Whip: Mike Turzai
- Policy Chair: Stan Saylor
- Caucus Administrator: Merle Phillips
- Caucus Secretary: Jerry Stern

In addition, the Senate Republicans have nominated Joseph Scarnati to continue as the president pro tempore for the 2009-10 session, while the Democrats in the House have nominated Keith McCall to be the speaker for the new session. Elections for these two positions will occur in January when the chambers first convene for the new session.

Additional information on the bills, as well as other legislation and state Capitol happenings of interest to the PBA is available by e-mailing the Legislative Department and by checking the PBA Legislative Boxscore at the link below

http://http//www.pabar.org/Public/Legislative/Boxscore/bar_box.htm

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