HB 371 (PN 1275) Sponsor: StabackAmends the Public Welfare Code, in general powers & duties of Department of Public Welfare, providing for onsite complaint investigations and plans of correction.
Status: Set on the House calendar on third consideration.
HB 372 (PN 0390) Sponsor: StabackAmends the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, further providing for definitions; and providing for complaint investigations.
Status: Set on the Senate calendar on second consideration.
HB 1231 (PN 1780) Sponsor: MurphyAmends the Workers' Compensation Act, further defining "occupational disease"; and providing for cancer in the occupation of firefighter.
Status: Set on the House voting schedule.
HB 1670 (PN 2347) Sponsor: RossAmends Title 42 (Judiciary) further providing for form of permanent recordation and for copies of destroyed records.
Status: Set on the House voting schedule.
HB 1893 (PN 2512) Sponsor: WatsonAmends Public Welfare Code providing for violation exceptions for personal care homes.
Status: Introduced and referred to the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee on July 24.
SB 381 (PN 0379) Sponsor: VanceAmends the Continuing-Care Provider Registration and Disclosure Act, further providing for investigations and subpoenas and for audits.
Status: Set on the Senate calendar on second consideration.
SB 921 (PN 1266) Sponsor: TomlinsonAmends the Board of Vehicles Act, providing for definitions of "dual", "dualing" and "line-make"; for mediation & arbitration, for unlawful acts by manufacturers or distributors & for inventory & equipment repurchasing.
Status: Set on the House voting schedule.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
WBA Begins "PA Get Help Now" Program
"Get Help Now, Pennsylvania!" is a volunteer initiative to connect Pennsylvanians facing financial difficulties with advice and assistance from professionals in their communities. Governor Rendell and First Lady Judge Rendell are calling upon Pennsylvania’s legal and financial professionals to donate their time and talents in support of this effort.
From now until September 10, volunteer professionals will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Westmoreland Bar Association to provide free assistance and referrals on issues related to credit, finance and bankruptcy.
For more information, call the WBA at 724-834-6730, or visit http://www.pa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/taxes___finances/3065/get_help_now_pa/551869. Help us help others by downloading a poster and displaying or distributing it.
-------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 30, 2009
WBA Rule Change Alert: Changes to Notice to Defend
The Notice to Defend for Westmoreland County has changed pursuant to New Rule W1018.1 Adopted June 23, 2009:
NOTICE TO DEFEND
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the complaint or for any claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ON AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.
LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
WESTMORELAND BAR ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 565
GREENSBURG, PA 15601
(724) 834-8490
http://lrs.westbar.org/
-------------------------------------------------
US Congress to Ban Driving and Texting?
While the Pennsylvania State Senate is getting closer to banning texting while driving...
http://cbs3.com/local/Senate.Bill.Cell.2.1080560.html
...a few U.S. Senators may beat them to the punch:
http://news.lp.findlaw.com/ap_stories/a/w/1153/07-29-2009/20090729042001_03.html
--------------------------------------------------
http://cbs3.com/local/Senate.Bill.Cell.2.1080560.html
...a few U.S. Senators may beat them to the punch:
http://news.lp.findlaw.com/ap_stories/a/w/1153/07-29-2009/20090729042001_03.html
--------------------------------------------------
Monday, July 27, 2009
Pennsylvania Bar Association Says Public Should Not Make Up Court and Legal Services Budget Shortfalls Through Large Filing Fee Increases
The following notice/article was posted the the Pennsylvania Bar Association's website
Pennsylvania Bar Association President Clifford E. Haines today said the public should not have to pay large increases in court filing fees to fund any budget shortfalls for Pennsylvania's court system and civil legal services.
Haines said House Bill 1861, as proposed, would impose a filing fee increase of $23 on all court filings - except traffic summary offenses - to make up the entire gap between the current budget proposals offered by the courts and the governor, House and Senate. Haines said the PBA could not support a provision of HB 1861 that would eliminate the Legislature's responsibility to fund civil legal services by shifting funding to the users of the legal system.
"The people most in need of the justice system will suffer the harshest impact of increased court filing fees," said Haines. "The courts have never been a "user pays" service any more than the Legislature or basic elements of the executive branch are "user pays" services.
The PBA House of Delegates voted June 4, 2009, to support a filing fee increase to help alleviate the current economy's impact on the commonwealth, but Haines said the critical term is "to help." He said that while filing fees recognize some responsibility on the part of the users of the justice system to help pay for it, citizens should not be called upon to fund all of an existing shortfall.
Haines said the PBA has been a vocal advocate on behalf of full funding for the Pennsylvania court system and Pennsylvania Legal Services and is sympathetic to the plight of the courts and legal services providers who are supporting the filing fee increases because of the uncertainties of the state budget.
"We recognize that critical times mean compromise that would otherwise be unpalatable," explained Haines. "We will continue to support the Pennsylvania court system and civil legal services, but we simply do not believe that, at this time, House Bill 1861 is the answer."
Read the full article and the letter at the link below:
http://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/pr072309.asp
-------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Bar Association President Clifford E. Haines today said the public should not have to pay large increases in court filing fees to fund any budget shortfalls for Pennsylvania's court system and civil legal services.
Haines said House Bill 1861, as proposed, would impose a filing fee increase of $23 on all court filings - except traffic summary offenses - to make up the entire gap between the current budget proposals offered by the courts and the governor, House and Senate. Haines said the PBA could not support a provision of HB 1861 that would eliminate the Legislature's responsibility to fund civil legal services by shifting funding to the users of the legal system.
"The people most in need of the justice system will suffer the harshest impact of increased court filing fees," said Haines. "The courts have never been a "user pays" service any more than the Legislature or basic elements of the executive branch are "user pays" services.
The PBA House of Delegates voted June 4, 2009, to support a filing fee increase to help alleviate the current economy's impact on the commonwealth, but Haines said the critical term is "to help." He said that while filing fees recognize some responsibility on the part of the users of the justice system to help pay for it, citizens should not be called upon to fund all of an existing shortfall.
Haines said the PBA has been a vocal advocate on behalf of full funding for the Pennsylvania court system and Pennsylvania Legal Services and is sympathetic to the plight of the courts and legal services providers who are supporting the filing fee increases because of the uncertainties of the state budget.
"We recognize that critical times mean compromise that would otherwise be unpalatable," explained Haines. "We will continue to support the Pennsylvania court system and civil legal services, but we simply do not believe that, at this time, House Bill 1861 is the answer."
Read the full article and the letter at the link below:
http://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/pr072309.asp
-------------------------------------------------
Saturday, July 25, 2009
WBA & the Innocence Project
The Westmoreland Bar Association invites you to spend a summer afternoon at The Westmoreland.
The Westmoreland Bar Association invites you to a special afternoon at The Westmoreland Museum on Tuesday, July 28, to hear Innocence Project Staff Attorney Craig Cooley speak about his work to free wrongly prosecuted prisoners through the use of DNA testing. Artist Dan Bolick will then speak about his current exhibit, “Resurrected,” which depicts ten men who were exonerated through the Innocence Project after serving a total of 164 years in prison—71 of those years on death row—for crimes they did not commit.
When:
Tuesday, July 28 from 4 to 7:15 p.m.
Where:
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art221 North Main Street, Greensburg, www.wmuseumaa.org
Cost:
Open and free to the publicOne optional substantive CLE credit is available for attorneys: $30 for WBA members, $50 for nonmembers
See the following link for a full agenda: http://www.westbar.org/innocence_project
------------------------------------------------
The Westmoreland Bar Association invites you to a special afternoon at The Westmoreland Museum on Tuesday, July 28, to hear Innocence Project Staff Attorney Craig Cooley speak about his work to free wrongly prosecuted prisoners through the use of DNA testing. Artist Dan Bolick will then speak about his current exhibit, “Resurrected,” which depicts ten men who were exonerated through the Innocence Project after serving a total of 164 years in prison—71 of those years on death row—for crimes they did not commit.
When:
Tuesday, July 28 from 4 to 7:15 p.m.
Where:
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art221 North Main Street, Greensburg, www.wmuseumaa.org
Cost:
Open and free to the publicOne optional substantive CLE credit is available for attorneys: $30 for WBA members, $50 for nonmembers
See the following link for a full agenda: http://www.westbar.org/innocence_project
------------------------------------------------
Friday, July 17, 2009
PA Bar Legislative Alert: Funding for Civil Legal Services 2009-2010
The following is a legislative alert from the Pennsylvania Bar Association
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Contact Your State Representative Immediately and Ask Him or Her to Save Funding for Civil Legal Services in the 2009-10 State Budget
After a vote today to suspend an internal rule that requires a two-week waiting period, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will debate its version of the state budget bill, HB 1416, and its accompanying amendments, tomorrow with the potential for a final vote on Friday. State funding for civil legal services remains in serious jeopardy.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association is urging its members to contact their state representatives and ask them to support state funding for civil legal services regardless of which version of the budget they ultimately pass. Please contact your state representative immediately. Implore him or her to include state funding for civil legal services in the final budget bill.The PBA Legislative Department has made it easy for you to do this - go to the PBA's Legislative Action Center (here) and click on “Read More” for additional information on the vital role that civil legal services play for the citizens of Pennsylvania. Once there, you will find an easy step-by-step process to compose and send an email message to your representative or download letters for mailing.
For more information about your legislators, please visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly's web site www.legis.state.pa.us.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this issue, we would like to hear from you. Please email us at legislative@pabar.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
