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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| SENATE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, PILEGGI, SCARNATI, BROWNE, SMUCKER, FONTANA, ALLOWAY, WAUGH, EARLL, FOLMER, WILLIAMS, YUDICHAK AND BRUBAKER, MAY 24, 2011 |
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| REFERRED TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MAY 24, 2011 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and |
2 | Judicial Procedure), 46 (Legislature), 53 (Municipalities |
3 | Generally), 61 (Prisons and Parole) and 75 (Vehicles) of the |
4 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, by codifying and adding |
5 | provisions relating to certain legislative service agencies; |
6 | and making conforming amendments and related repeals. |
7 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
8 | hereby enacts as follows: |
9 | Section 1. Section 3702(b) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania |
10 | Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: |
11 | § 3702. Robbery of motor vehicle. |
12 | * * * |
13 | (b) Sentencing.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, |
14 | pursuant to [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5905 (relating to |
15 | adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a |
16 | sentencing enhancement for an offense under this section. |
17 | Section 2. Subchapter F heading and sections 2151.1, 2151.2, |
18 | 2152 and 2153 of Title 42 are repealed: |
19 | [SUBCHAPTER F |
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1 | PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON SENTENCING |
2 | § 2151.1. Definitions. |
3 | The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter |
4 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
5 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
6 | "Board." The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. |
7 | "Commission." The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing |
8 | established in section 2151.2 (relating to commission). |
9 | "Department." The Department of Corrections of the |
10 | Commonwealth. |
11 | § 2151.2. Commission. |
12 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall be established as an |
13 | agency of the General Assembly and shall consist of 11 persons |
14 | selected as provided in this subchapter. |
15 | (b) Seal.--The commission shall have a seal engraved with |
16 | its name and such other inscription as may be specified by |
17 | regulation of the commission. |
18 | § 2152. Composition of commission. |
19 | (a) General rule.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing |
20 | shall consist of: |
21 | (1) Two members of the House of Representatives selected |
22 | by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, no more than |
23 | one of whom shall be of the same political party. |
24 | (2) Two members of the Senate of Pennsylvania selected |
25 | by the President pro tempore of the Senate, no more than one |
26 | of whom shall be of the same political party. |
27 | (3) Four judges of courts of record selected by the |
28 | Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. |
29 | (4) Three persons appointed by the Governor, who shall |
30 | be, respectively: |
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1 | (i) A district attorney. |
2 | (ii) A defense attorney. |
3 | (iii) Either a professor of law or a criminologist. |
4 | (a.1) Ex officio members.--The Secretary of Corrections, the |
5 | victim advocate appointed under section 301 of the act of |
6 | November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims |
7 | Act, and the chairman of the board, during their tenure in their |
8 | respective positions, shall serve as ex officio nonvoting |
9 | members of the commission. |
10 | (b) Terms of office.--The members of the commission shall |
11 | serve for terms of two years and until a successor has been |
12 | selected and qualified. A vacancy on the commission shall be |
13 | filled for the balance of the term. |
14 | (c) Chairman and executive director.--The commission shall |
15 | select a chairman from its members and an executive director. |
16 | The chairman shall: |
17 | (1) Preside at meetings of the commission. |
18 | (2) Direct the preparation of requests for |
19 | appropriations for the commission and the use of funds made |
20 | available to the commission. |
21 | (d) Meetings and quorum.-- |
22 | (1) The commission shall meet at least four times a year |
23 | and not less than semiannually to establish its general |
24 | policies and rules. |
25 | (2) The commission shall be deemed an "agency" within |
26 | the meaning of and shall be subject to the provisions of the |
27 | act of July 19, 1974 (P.L.486, No.175), referred to as the |
28 | Public Agency Open Meeting Law. |
29 | (3) Seven commissioners shall constitute a quorum for |
30 | the purpose of adopting proposed initial and initial and |
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1 | subsequent guidelines. A majority of commissioners shall |
2 | constitute a quorum for all other purposes. |
3 | (4) Minutes of meetings shall be kept by the executive |
4 | director and filed at the executive office of the commission. |
5 | (e) Records of action.--Except as otherwise provided by |
6 | statute, the commission shall maintain and make available for |
7 | public inspection a record of the final vote of each member on |
8 | any action taken by it. |
9 | (f) Expenses.--Each commissioner shall be entitled to |
10 | reimbursement for his accountable expenses incurred while |
11 | engaged in the business of the commission. |
12 | § 2153. Powers and duties. |
13 | (a) General rule.--The commission, pursuant to rules and |
14 | regulations, shall have the power to: |
15 | (1) Establish general policies and promulgate such rules |
16 | and regulations for the commission as are necessary to carry |
17 | out the purposes of this subchapter and Chapter 97 (relating |
18 | to sentencing). |
19 | (2) Utilize, with their consent, the services, |
20 | equipment, personnel, information and facilities of Federal, |
21 | State, local and private agencies and instrumentalities with |
22 | or without reimbursement therefor. |
23 | (3) Enter into and perform such contracts, leases, |
24 | cooperative agreements and other transactions as may be |
25 | necessary in the conduct of the functions of the commission, |
26 | with any public agency or with any person, firm, association, |
27 | corporation, educational institution or nonprofit |
28 | organization. |
29 | (4) Request such information, data and reports from any |
30 | officer or agency of the Commonwealth government as the |
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1 | commission may from time to time require and as may be |
2 | produced consistent with other law. |
3 | (5) Arrange with the head of any government unit for the |
4 | performance by the government unit of any function of the |
5 | commission, with or without reimbursement. |
6 | (6) Issue invitations requesting the attendance and |
7 | testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence |
8 | that relates directly to a matter with respect to which the |
9 | commission or any member thereof is empowered to make a |
10 | determination under this subchapter. |
11 | (7) Establish a research and development program within |
12 | the commission for the purpose of: |
13 | (i) Serving as a clearinghouse and information |
14 | center for the collection, preparation and dissemination |
15 | of information on Commonwealth sentencing, resentencing |
16 | and parole practices. |
17 | (ii) Assisting and serving in a consulting capacity |
18 | to the board, State courts, departments and agencies in |
19 | the development, maintenance and coordination of sound |
20 | sentencing, resentencing and parole practices. |
21 | (8) Collect systematically the data obtained from |
22 | studies, research and the empirical experience of public and |
23 | private agencies concerning the sentencing processes. |
24 | (9) Publish data concerning the sentencing and parole |
25 | processes. |
26 | (10) Collect systematically and disseminate information |
27 | concerning parole dispositions and sentences actually |
28 | imposed, including initial sentences and any subsequent |
29 | modification of sentences or resentences following revocation |
30 | or remand, and parole and reparole decisions by the board and |
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1 | any other paroling authority. |
2 | (11) Collect systematically and disseminate information |
3 | regarding effectiveness of parole dispositions and sentences |
4 | imposed. |
5 | (12) Make recommendations to the General Assembly |
6 | concerning modification or enactment of sentencing, parole |
7 | and correctional statutes which the commission finds to be |
8 | necessary and advisable to carry out an effective, humane and |
9 | rational sentencing, resentencing and parole policy. |
10 | (13) Establish a plan and timetable to collect and |
11 | disseminate information relating to incapacitation, |
12 | recidivism, deterrence and overall effectiveness of sentences |
13 | and parole dispositions imposed. |
14 | (14) Establish a program to systematically monitor |
15 | compliance with the guidelines, with recommitment ranges and |
16 | with mandatory sentencing laws to document eligibility for |
17 | and releases pursuant to a county reentry plan, to document |
18 | eligibility for and imposition of recidivism risk reduction |
19 | incentive minimum sentences and to document all parole and |
20 | reparole decisions by the board and any other paroling |
21 | authority by: |
22 | (i) Promulgating forms which document the |
23 | application of sentencing, resentencing and parole |
24 | guidelines, mandatory sentencing laws, releases pursuant |
25 | to a county reentry plan, recommitment ranges and |
26 | recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum sentences and |
27 | collecting information on all parole and reparole |
28 | decisions by the board and any other paroling authority. |
29 | (ii) Requiring the timely completion and electronic |
30 | submission of such forms to the commission. |
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1 | (15) Prior to adoption of changes to guidelines for |
2 | sentencing, resentencing and parole and recommitment ranges |
3 | following revocation, use a correctional population |
4 | simulation model to determine: |
5 | (i) Resources that are required under current |
6 | guidelines and ranges. |
7 | (ii) Resources that would be required to carry out |
8 | any proposed changes to the guidelines and ranges. |
9 | (b) Annual reports.--The commission shall report annually to |
10 | the General Assembly, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania |
11 | Courts and the Governor on the activities of the commission. |
12 | (c) Additional powers and duties.--The commission shall have |
13 | such other powers and duties and shall perform such other |
14 | functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this |
15 | subchapter or as may be provided under any other provision of |
16 | law and may delegate to any commissioner or designated person |
17 | such powers as may be appropriate other than the power to |
18 | establish general policies, guidelines, rules and factors under |
19 | subsection (a)(1).] |
20 | Section 3. Section 2154 of Title 42, amended October 27, |
21 | 2010 (P.L.931, No.95), is repealed: |
22 | [§ 2154. Adoption of guidelines for sentencing. |
23 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall adopt guidelines for |
24 | sentencing within the limits established by law which shall be |
25 | considered by the sentencing court in determining the |
26 | appropriate sentence for defendants who plead guilty or nolo |
27 | contendere to, or who were found guilty of, felonies and |
28 | misdemeanors. In adopting guidelines, the commission shall |
29 | recommend confinement that is consistent with the protection of |
30 | the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to the |
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1 | impact on the life of the victim and the community and the |
2 | rehabilitative needs of the offender. The guidelines shall |
3 | address the following: |
4 | (1) Seriousness of the offense, by specifying the range |
5 | of sentences applicable to crimes of a given degree of |
6 | gravity, including incapacitation of serious violent |
7 | offenders. |
8 | (2) Criminal history, by specifying a range of sentences |
9 | of increased severity for offenders previously convicted of |
10 | or adjudicated delinquent for one or more misdemeanor or |
11 | felony offenses committed prior to the current offense. |
12 | (3) Criminal behavior, by specifying a range of |
13 | sentences of increased severity for offenders who pose a |
14 | substantial risk to public safety, including those who |
15 | possessed or used a deadly weapon during the commission of |
16 | the current conviction offense. |
17 | (4) Aggravated and mitigated ranges, by specifying |
18 | variations from the range of sentences applicable on account |
19 | of aggravating or mitigating circumstances. |
20 | (5) The impact of any amendments to section 9756 |
21 | (relating to sentence of total confinement). |
22 | (b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following |
23 | words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this |
24 | subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: |
25 | "Possessed." On a defendant's person or within the |
26 | defendant's immediate physical control. |
27 | "Previously convicted of or adjudicated delinquent." Any |
28 | finding of guilt or adjudication of delinquency, whether or not |
29 | sentence has been imposed or disposition ordered prior to the |
30 | commission of the current offense.] |
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1 | Section 4. Section 2154.1 of Title 42 is repealed: |
2 | [§ 2154.1. Adoption of guidelines for county intermediate |
3 | punishment. |
4 | The commission shall adopt guidelines to identify offenders |
5 | who would be eligible and appropriate for participation in |
6 | county intermediate punishment programs. These guidelines shall |
7 | be considered by the sentencing court in determining whether to |
8 | sentence an offender pursuant to section 9763 (relating to |
9 | sentence of county intermediate punishment). The guidelines |
10 | shall: |
11 | (1) Use the description of "eligible offender" provided |
12 | in Chapter 98 (relating to county intermediate punishment). |
13 | (2) Give primary consideration to protection of the |
14 | public safety.] |
15 | Section 5. Section 2154.2 of Title 42, amended October 27, |
16 | 2010 (P.L.931, No.95), is repealed: |
17 | [§ 2154.2. Adoption of guidelines for State intermediate |
18 | punishment. |
19 | The commission shall adopt guidelines to identify offenders |
20 | who would be appropriate for participation in State intermediate |
21 | punishment programs. These guidelines shall be considered by the |
22 | attorney for the Commonwealth and the sentencing court in |
23 | determining whether to commit a defendant for evaluation and |
24 | whether to sentence an eligible offender pursuant to 61 Pa.C.S. |
25 | Ch. 41 (relating to State intermediate punishment). The |
26 | guidelines shall: |
27 | (1) Use the description of "eligible offender" provided |
28 | in 61 Pa.C.S. Ch. 41. |
29 | (2) Give primary consideration to protection of the |
30 | public safety.] |
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1 | Section 6. Sections 2154.3, 2154.4, 2154.5, 2154.6, 2154.7, |
2 | 2155 and 2156 of Title 42 are repealed: |
3 | [§ 2154.3. Adoption of guidelines for fines. |
4 | The commission shall adopt guidelines for fines or other |
5 | lawful economic sanctions, within the limits established by law, |
6 | which shall be considered by the sentencing court in determining |
7 | the appropriate sentence for defendants who plead guilty or nolo |
8 | contendere to or who are found guilty of felonies and |
9 | misdemeanors. The guidelines shall do all of the following: |
10 | (1) Specify the range of fines or other lawful economic |
11 | sanctions, applicable to crimes of a given degree of gravity. |
12 | (2) Specify a range of fines or other lawful economic |
13 | sanctions of increased amount for defendants previously |
14 | convicted or adjudicated delinquent for one or more |
15 | misdemeanor or felony offenses committed prior to the current |
16 | offense. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "previously |
17 | convicted or adjudicated delinquent" shall include any |
18 | finding of guilt or adjudication of delinquency whether or |
19 | not sentence has been imposed or disposition ordered prior to |
20 | the commission of the current offense. |
21 | (3) Prescribe variations from the range of fines |
22 | applicable on account of aggravating or mitigating |
23 | circumstances. |
24 | (4) Prescribe community service alternatives which may |
25 | be imposed in lieu of all or part of the fines where the |
26 | sentencing court finds the defendant lacks the ability to pay |
27 | all or part of the fine. |
28 | § 2154.4. Adoption of guidelines for resentencing. |
29 | The commission shall adopt guidelines that shall be |
30 | considered by the court when resentencing an offender following |
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1 | revocation of probation, county intermediate punishment or State |
2 | intermediate punishment. The guidelines shall take into account: |
3 | (1) Factors considered in adopting the sentencing |
4 | guidelines. |
5 | (2) The seriousness of the violation. |
6 | (3) The rehabilitative needs of the defendant. |
7 | § 2154.5. Adoption of guidelines for parole. |
8 | (a) Adoption.--The commission shall adopt guidelines that |
9 | shall be considered by the board and any other paroling entity |
10 | when exercising its power to parole and reparole all persons |
11 | sentenced by any court in this Commonwealth to imprisonment in |
12 | any correctional institution. The guidelines shall do all of the |
13 | following: |
14 | (1) Give primary consideration to the protection of the |
15 | public and to victim safety. |
16 | (2) Provide for due consideration of victim input. |
17 | (3) Be designed to encourage inmates and parolees to |
18 | conduct themselves in accordance with conditions and rules of |
19 | conduct set forth by the department or other prison |
20 | facilities and the board. |
21 | (4) Be designed to encourage inmates and parolees to |
22 | participate in programs that have been demonstrated to be |
23 | effective in reducing recidivism, including appropriate drug |
24 | and alcohol treatment programs. |
25 | (5) Provide for prioritization of incarceration, |
26 | rehabilitation and other criminal justice resources for |
27 | offenders posing the greatest risk to public safety. |
28 | (6) Use validated risk assessment tools, be evidence |
29 | based and take into account available research relating to |
30 | the risk of recidivism, minimizing the threat posed to public |
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1 | safety and factors maximizing the success of reentry. |
2 | (b) Discretionary authority.--Notwithstanding any other |
3 | provision of law, this section shall not remove the |
4 | discretionary parole authority of the board and any other |
5 | paroling entity when exercising its power to parole and |
6 | reparole. |
7 | § 2154.6. Adoption of recommitment ranges following revocation |
8 | of parole by board. |
9 | (a) Recommitment ranges.--The commission shall adopt |
10 | recommitment ranges that shall be considered by the board when |
11 | exercising its power to reparole, commit and recommit for |
12 | violations of parole any person sentenced by a court in this |
13 | Commonwealth to imprisonment in any correctional institution. |
14 | The recommitment ranges shall take into account the seriousness |
15 | of the initial conviction offense, the level of seriousness of |
16 | the violation and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant. At |
17 | the end of the recommittal period, the parole violator shall be |
18 | reviewed for parole or, without further review, shall be |
19 | reparoled. |
20 | (b) Deviation.--In every case in which the board deviates |
21 | from the recommitment ranges, the board shall provide a |
22 | contemporaneous written statement of the reasons for the |
23 | deviation from the recommitment ranges to the commission as |
24 | established under section 2153(a)(14) (relating to powers and |
25 | duties). |
26 | (c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following |
27 | words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this |
28 | subsection: |
29 | "Recommitment range." A range of time within which a parole |
30 | violator may be recommitted to serve an additional part of the |
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1 | term the parole violator would have been compelled to serve had |
2 | the parole violator not been paroled. |
3 | § 2154.7. Adoption of risk assessment instrument. |
4 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall adopt a sentence |
5 | risk assessment instrument for the sentencing court to use to |
6 | help determine the appropriate sentence within the limits |
7 | established by law for defendants who plead guilty or nolo |
8 | contendere to or who were found guilty of felonies and |
9 | misdemeanors. The risk assessment instrument may be used as an |
10 | aide in evaluating the relative risk that an offender will |
11 | reoffend and be a threat to public safety. |
12 | (b) Sentencing guidelines.--The risk assessment instrument |
13 | may be incorporated into the sentencing guidelines under section |
14 | 2154 (relating to adoption of guidelines for sentencing). |
15 | (c) Presentence investigation report.--Subject to the |
16 | provisions of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, the |
17 | sentencing court may use the risk assessment instrument to |
18 | determine whether a more thorough assessment is necessary and to |
19 | order a presentence investigation report. |
20 | (d) Alternative sentencing.--Subject to the eligibility |
21 | requirements of each program, the risk assessment instrument may |
22 | be an aide to help determine appropriate candidates for |
23 | alternative sentencing, including the recidivism risk reduction |
24 | incentive, State and county intermediate punishment programs and |
25 | State motivational boot camps. |
26 | (e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "risk |
27 | assessment instrument" means an empirically based worksheet |
28 | which uses factors that are relevant in predicting recidivism. |
29 | § 2155. Publication of guidelines for sentencing, resentencing |
30 | and parole and recommitment ranges following |
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1 | revocation. |
2 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall: |
3 | (1) Prior to adoption, publish in the Pennsylvania |
4 | Bulletin all proposed sentencing guidelines, resentencing |
5 | guidelines following revocation of probation, county |
6 | intermediate punishment and State intermediate punishment, |
7 | parole guidelines and recommitment ranges following |
8 | revocation by the board of paroles granted, and hold public |
9 | hearings not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days |
10 | thereafter to afford an opportunity for the following persons |
11 | and organizations to testify: |
12 | (i) Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. |
13 | (ii) Chiefs of Police Associations. |
14 | (iii) Fraternal Order of Police. |
15 | (iv) Public Defenders Organization. |
16 | (v) Law school faculty members. |
17 | (vi) State Board of Probation and Parole. |
18 | (vii) Department of Corrections. |
19 | (viii) Pennsylvania Bar Association. |
20 | (ix) Pennsylvania Wardens Association. |
21 | (x) Pennsylvania Association on Probation, Parole |
22 | and Corrections. |
23 | (xi) Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. |
24 | (xii) Any other interested person or organization. |
25 | (2) Publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin sentencing |
26 | guidelines as adopted by the commission. |
27 | (b) Rejection by General Assembly.--Subject to gubernatorial |
28 | review pursuant to section 9 of Article III of the Constitution |
29 | of Pennsylvania, the General Assembly may by concurrent |
30 | resolution reject in their entirety any guidelines or |
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1 | recommitment ranges adopted by the commission within 90 days of |
2 | their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin pursuant to |
3 | subsection (a)(2). |
4 | (c) Effective date.--Sentencing guidelines, resentencing |
5 | guidelines following revocation of probation, county |
6 | intermediate punishment and State intermediate punishment, |
7 | parole guidelines and recommitment ranges following revocation |
8 | by the board of paroles granted, adopted by the commission shall |
9 | become effective 90 days after publication in the Pennsylvania |
10 | Bulletin pursuant to subsection (a)(2) unless disapproved |
11 | pursuant to subsection (b) and shall apply to sentences and |
12 | resentences and parole decisions made after the effective date |
13 | of the guidelines. If not disapproved, the commissioners shall |
14 | conduct training and orientation for trial court judges and |
15 | board members prior to the effective date of the guidelines and |
16 | recommitment ranges. |
17 | § 2156. Severability of subchapter. |
18 | The provisions of this subchapter are severable. If any |
19 | provision of this subchapter or its application to any person or |
20 | circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect |
21 | other provisions or applications of this subchapter which can be |
22 | given effect without the invalid provision or application.] |
23 | Section 7. Section 9721(b) and 9781(d)(4) of Title 42 are |
24 | amended to read: |
25 | § 9721. Sentencing generally. |
26 | * * * |
27 | (b) General standards.--In selecting from the alternatives |
28 | set forth in subsection (a), the court shall follow the general |
29 | principle that the sentence imposed should call for confinement |
30 | that is consistent with the protection of the public, the |
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1 | gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact on the life |
2 | of the victim and on the community, and the rehabilitative needs |
3 | of the defendant. The court shall also consider any guidelines |
4 | for sentencing and resentencing adopted by the Pennsylvania |
5 | Commission on Sentencing and taking effect under [section 2155] |
6 | 46 Pa.C.S. § 5913 (relating to publication of guidelines for |
7 | sentencing, resentencing and parole and recommitment ranges |
8 | following revocation). In every case in which the court imposes |
9 | a sentence for a felony or misdemeanor, modifies a sentence, |
10 | resentences an offender following revocation of probation, |
11 | county intermediate punishment or State intermediate punishment |
12 | or resentences following remand, the court shall make as a part |
13 | of the record, and disclose in open court at the time of |
14 | sentencing, a statement of the reason or reasons for the |
15 | sentence imposed. In every case where the court imposes a |
16 | sentence or resentence outside the guidelines adopted by the |
17 | Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing under [sections 2154] 46 |
18 | Pa.C.S. §§ 5905 (relating to adoption of guidelines for |
19 | sentencing), [2154.1] 5906 (relating to adoption of guidelines |
20 | for county intermediate punishment), [2154.2] 5907 (relating to |
21 | adoption of guidelines for State intermediate punishment), |
22 | [2154.3] 5908 (relating to adoption of guidelines for fines), |
23 | [2154.4] 5909 (relating to adoption of guidelines for |
24 | resentencing) and [2154.5] 5910 (relating to adoption of |
25 | guidelines for parole) and made effective under [section 2155] |
26 | 46 Pa.C.S. § 5913, the court shall provide a contemporaneous |
27 | written statement of the reason or reasons for the deviation |
28 | from the guidelines to the commission, as established under |
29 | [section 2153(a)(14)] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5904(a)(14) (relating to |
30 | powers and duties). Failure to comply shall be grounds for |
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1 | vacating the sentence or resentence and resentencing the |
2 | defendant. |
3 | * * * |
4 | § 9781. Appellate review of sentence. |
5 | * * * |
6 | (d) Review of record.--In reviewing the record the appellate |
7 | court shall have regard for: |
8 | * * * |
9 | (4) The guidelines promulgated by the [commission] |
10 | Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing under 46 Pa.C.S. Ch. 59 |
11 | (relating to Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing). |
12 | * * * |
13 | Section 8. Title 46 is amended by adding parts to read: |
14 | PART I |
15 | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
16 | Chapter |
17 | 1. Preliminary Provisions |
18 | CHAPTER 1 |
19 | PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS |
20 | Sec. |
21 | 101. Short title. |
22 | § 101. Short title. |
23 | This title shall be known and may be cited as the Legislative |
24 | Code. |
25 | PART II |
26 | MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
27 | (Reserved) |
28 | PART III |
29 | OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES |
30 | (Reserved) |
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1 | PART IV |
2 | ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS |
3 | (Reserved) |
4 | PART V |
5 | LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AGENCIES |
6 | Chapter |
7 | 51. General provisions |
8 | 53. Legislative Reference Bureau |
9 | 55. Legislative Data Processing Committee |
10 | 57. Capitol Preservation Committee |
11 | 59. Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing |
12 | 61. Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy |
13 | CHAPTER 51 |
14 | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
15 | Sec. |
16 | 5101. Definitions. |
17 | 5102. Cooperation among agencies. |
18 | § 5101. Definitions. |
19 | The following words and phrases when used in this part shall |
20 | have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
21 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
22 | "Legislative service agency." Any of the following: |
23 | (1) The Legislative Reference Bureau. |
24 | (2) The Legislative Data Processing Committee. |
25 | (3) The Capitol Preservation Committee. |
26 | (4) The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. |
27 | (5) The Legislative Research and Policy Development |
28 | Office. |
29 | § 5102. Cooperation among agencies. |
30 | (a) General rule.--The executive directors of the |
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1 | legislative service agencies shall meet to discuss how their |
2 | respective legislative service agencies may support each other |
3 | to better serve the General Assembly. The executive director of |
4 | the Pennsylvania Office of Research and Public Policy shall |
5 | schedule the meetings with a goal of meeting at least quarterly. |
6 | (b) Development of procedures.--The executive directors may |
7 | develop procedures for sharing employees for certain projects. |
8 | CHAPTER 53 |
9 | LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU |
10 | Sec. |
11 | 5301. Definitions. |
12 | 5302. Legislative Reference Bureau. |
13 | 5303. Director. |
14 | 5304. Qualifications and duties of director. |
15 | 5305. Assistant director. |
16 | 5306. Staff. |
17 | 5307. Hours of operation. |
18 | 5308. Legislative and public documents. |
19 | 5309. Duties of bureau. |
20 | 5310. Availability for consultation. |
21 | 5311. Contracts for printing statutes. |
22 | § 5301. Definitions. |
23 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
24 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
25 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
26 | "Bureau." The Legislative Reference Bureau established by |
27 | this chapter. |
28 | "Director." The Director of the Legislative Reference |
29 | Bureau. |
30 | § 5302. Legislative Reference Bureau. |
|
1 | (a) Establishment.--The Legislative Reference Bureau is |
2 | established for the use and information of the Governor, the |
3 | members of the General Assembly, the heads of the departments of |
4 | State government and the citizens of this Commonwealth who wish |
5 | to consult the bureau. |
6 | (b) Location.--The bureau shall be located in the Main |
7 | Capitol Building. |
8 | § 5303. Director. |
9 | The Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau shall be in |
10 | charge of the bureau and shall be elected biennially before the |
11 | first day of February, each odd-numbered year, by the Senate and |
12 | House of Representatives in joint session. |
13 | § 5304. Qualifications and duties of director. |
14 | (a) General rule.--The director shall be: |
15 | (1) Qualified by experience, knowledge and ability to |
16 | conduct the work of the bureau. |
17 | (2) Knowledgeable in legislative procedure and |
18 | parliamentary practice and shall in such matters, when called |
19 | upon to do so, serve as an ex officio advisor to the General |
20 | Assembly. |
21 | (b) Bond.--The person elected as director shall give bond in |
22 | the sum of $10,000 for the faithful performance of the person's |
23 | duties and shall devote the person's whole time and attention to |
24 | the duties of the office for which the person is elected. |
25 | (c) Access to legislative documents.--The director shall |
26 | have access to the law library and its publications of the |
27 | various state governments and the Federal Government, which may |
28 | be generally classed as legislative documents. |
29 | (d) Salary.--The annual salary of the director shall be |
30 | determined jointly by the President pro tempore of the Senate, |
|
1 | the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of |
2 | Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of |
3 | Representatives. |
4 | § 5305. Assistant director. |
5 | (a) Appointment by director.--The director shall appoint an |
6 | assistant director who must be learned in the law and a skilled |
7 | bill drafter. |
8 | (b) Salary and duties.-- |
9 | (1) The assistant director shall receive a salary as |
10 | fixed by the director. |
11 | (2) The assistant director shall perform the duties of |
12 | the director in the case of a vacancy in that office or in |
13 | case of the absence or inability of the director to act. |
14 | (3) The assistant director shall perform such other |
15 | duties as may be assigned by the director. |
16 | § 5306. Staff. |
17 | (a) Appointment by director.--The director shall appoint a |
18 | trained librarian and such attorneys-at-law, clerks, |
19 | secretaries, stenographers, typists, messengers and other |
20 | employees, as the director deems necessary, and for such periods |
21 | and on such terms as the director deems advantageous to conduct |
22 | the work of the bureau at all times. |
23 | (b) Compensation.--The director shall fix the number and |
24 | compensation of all employees of the bureau within the limits of |
25 | appropriations made in advance by the General Assembly. |
26 | § 5307. Hours of operation. |
27 | The bureau shall be kept open on business days from 8:45 a.m. |
28 | to 4:45 p.m. during the year and, when the General Assembly is |
29 | in session, at such hours as are most convenient to the members |
30 | of the General Assembly. |
|
1 | § 5308. Legislative and public documents. |
2 | (a) Duty to maintain.--The director shall prepare, and have |
3 | available for use: |
4 | (1) Indices of Pennsylvania laws, digests of such public |
5 | laws of this Commonwealth and other states as may be of use |
6 | for legislative information. |
7 | (2) Records and files of all bills and resolutions |
8 | presented in either branch of the General Assembly and loose |
9 | leaf files of acts of Assembly. |
10 | (3) Catalog files of such reports of departments, boards |
11 | and commissions and other public documents of this |
12 | Commonwealth. |
13 | (4) General books and pamphlets as pertain to the work |
14 | and service of the bureau, files of newspaper and periodical |
15 | clippings and other printed matter as may be proper for the |
16 | purposes of the bureau. |
17 | (b) Procurement of information.--The director shall, when |
18 | requested by the Governor, the members of the General Assembly |
19 | or the heads of departments, promptly procure available |
20 | information not on file in the bureau relating to legislation of |
21 | other states and shall investigate the manner in which laws have |
22 | operated. |
23 | (c) Exchange of information with other states.--The director |
24 | shall establish a system of exchanges with such other states as |
25 | is expedient and practicable. |
26 | (d) Preparation and publication of information.--The |
27 | director shall from time to time prepare and publish such |
28 | bulletins, pamphlets and circulars, containing information |
29 | collected by the bureau and such compilations of this or other |
30 | states, as the director determines to be of service to the |
|
1 | Governor, the members of the General Assembly, the several |
2 | departments of State government and the citizens of this |
3 | Commonwealth. |
4 | (e) Preparation of codes.-- |
5 | (1) From time to time the director shall prepare, for |
6 | adoption or rejection by the General Assembly, codes, by |
7 | topics, of the existing general statutes, arranged by |
8 | chapters or articles and sections under suitable headings and |
9 | shall add to the codes lists of statutes of the existing law |
10 | to be repealed. |
11 | (2) The director shall assist in or supervise, when |
12 | called upon by any proper authority or when directed to do so |
13 | by the General Assembly, the compilation and preparation of |
14 | any general revision and codification of the existing laws of |
15 | this Commonwealth. |
16 | § 5309. Duties of bureau. |
17 | (a) Prohibited activity.--The director, assistant director |
18 | and employees of the bureau may neither oppose nor urge |
19 | legislation for the Commonwealth. |
20 | (b) Advice and assistance.--The director, assistant director |
21 | and employees of the bureau shall, upon request, assist the |
22 | Governor, the members of the General Assembly and the heads of |
23 | departments by: |
24 | (1) Providing advice relating to bills and resolutions |
25 | of the General Assembly. |
26 | (2) Drafting bills and resolutions into proper form. |
27 | (3) Furnishing to them the fullest information upon all |
28 | matters within the scope of the bureau relating to their |
29 | public duties. |
30 | (c) Confidentiality.--The director, assistant director and |
|
1 | employees of the bureau may not reveal to any person outside the |
2 | bureau the contents or nature of any matter not yet published, |
3 | without the consent of the person who brought the matter to the |
4 | bureau. |
5 | § 5310. Availability for consultation. |
6 | (a) Duties.--The bureau shall be available for consultation |
7 | freely by citizens of this Commonwealth relating to such general |
8 | information as it may be able to furnish and as to the statutory |
9 | law of this Commonwealth or any other state on particular |
10 | subjects and shall furnish to citizens, upon request, copies of |
11 | such laws as are available for distribution. |
12 | (b) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding the provisions of |
13 | subsection (a), in no case and under no circumstances shall the |
14 | director, assistant director or any employee of the bureau in |
15 | that person's official capacity furnish any opinion on any legal |
16 | matter to any private citizen. |
17 | § 5311. Contracts for printing statutes. |
18 | (a) Power to enter into contracts.-- |
19 | (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the |
20 | contrary, including 62 Pa.C.S. (relating to procurement), the |
21 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, advance copies of |
22 | statutes, volumes of the Laws of Pennsylvania and other |
23 | publications shall be printed under contracts entered into by |
24 | the bureau and distributed as determined by the bureau. |
25 | (2) Money from sales shall be paid to the bureau or the |
26 | Department of General Services, as the bureau shall |
27 | determine, and that money shall be paid into the State |
28 | Treasury to the credit of the General Fund. |
29 | (3) Money from sales is appropriated from the General |
30 | Fund to the bureau for the editing, printing and distribution |
|
1 | of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, advance copies of |
2 | statutes, volumes of the Laws of Pennsylvania and other |
3 | publications and for related expenses. |
4 | (b) Contingent expenses to be paid.--Contingent expenses |
5 | connected with the work of the bureau shall be paid on warrants |
6 | of the State Treasurer in favor of the director on the |
7 | presentation of the director's requisitions. |
8 | (c) Accounting of contingent expenses.--The director shall |
9 | file an accounting of the contingent expenses, together with |
10 | supporting documents whenever possible, in the office of the |
11 | bureau. |
12 | CHAPTER 55 |
13 | LEGISLATIVE DATA PROCESSING COMMITTEE |
14 | Sec. |
15 | 5501. Definitions. |
16 | 5502. Legislative Data Processing Committee. |
17 | 5503. Powers and duties. |
18 | 5504. Duties and qualifications of executive director. |
19 | 5505. Prohibitions. |
20 | 5506. Reimbursement of expenses. |
21 | § 5501. Definitions. |
22 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
23 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
24 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
25 | "Committee." The Legislative Data Processing Committee |
26 | established by this chapter. |
27 | "Executive director." The executive director of the |
28 | Legislative Data Processing Committee. |
29 | § 5502. Legislative Data Processing Committee. |
30 | (a) Establishment.-- |
|
1 | (1) The Legislative Data Processing Committee is |
2 | established and shall consist of: |
3 | (i) Two senators appointed by the President pro |
4 | tempore of the Senate. |
5 | (ii) Two senators appointed by the Minority Leader |
6 | of the Senate. |
7 | (iii) Two representatives appointed by the Speaker |
8 | of the House of Representatives. |
9 | (iv) Two representatives appointed by the Minority |
10 | Leader of the House of Representatives. |
11 | (v) The Secretary of the Senate and the |
12 | Parliamentarian of the House of Representatives, who |
13 | shall serve as nonvoting members of the committee. |
14 | (2) Members of the committee shall serve during each |
15 | regular session of the General Assembly and shall continue as |
16 | members until the first Tuesday in January of the next odd- |
17 | numbered year and until their respective successors shall |
18 | qualify, provided they continue to be members of the Senate |
19 | or the House of Representatives. |
20 | (3) The committee has a continuing existence and may |
21 | meet and conduct its business at any place within this |
22 | Commonwealth during the sessions of the General Assembly or |
23 | any recess thereof and in the interim between sessions. |
24 | (b) Quorum and voting.--Six members of the committee shall |
25 | constitute a quorum and an affirmative vote of five members of |
26 | the committee shall be necessary to pass on any matter requiring |
27 | committee action. |
28 | (c) Attendance.--Nothing in this chapter or in any rules and |
29 | regulations promulgated by the committee shall prohibit a member |
30 | of the committee from participating in a meeting, executive |
|
1 | session, deliberations or any other activity through telephone |
2 | or other electronic medium. |
3 | (d) Proxies.--The committee shall adopt rules allowing for |
4 | and governing the use of proxies by members of the committee, |
5 | except that proxies may not be used to establish a quorum. |
6 | § 5503. Powers and duties. |
7 | The committee shall have the following powers and duties: |
8 | (1) To establish and operate a legislative data |
9 | processing center incorporating a system or systems that are |
10 | capable of storing and retrieving all of the financial, |
11 | factual, procedural and legal information necessary to serve |
12 | all of the committees, officers and agencies of the General |
13 | Assembly. |
14 | (2) With the approval of the Committee on Management |
15 | Operations of the Senate and the Bi-partisan Management |
16 | Committee of the House of Representatives, to provide access |
17 | to public legislative information within the computer |
18 | information systems operated by the committee to persons |
19 | outside the General Assembly as the committee deems |
20 | appropriate. The access shall be provided in the manner |
21 | approved by the committee, the Committee on Management |
22 | Operations of the Senate and the Bi-partisan Management |
23 | Committee of the House of Representatives. No information |
24 | residing in the computer information systems operated by the |
25 | committee shall be released or disseminated by the committee |
26 | or its employees to persons outside the General Assembly |
27 | without the approval of: |
28 | (i) The Committee on Management Operations of the |
29 | Senate if the document or information was originated, |
30 | prepared, generated or maintained in whole or in part by |
|
1 | the Senate. |
2 | (ii) The Bi-partisan Management Committee of the |
3 | House of Representatives if the document or information |
4 | was originated, prepared, generated or maintained in |
5 | whole or in part by the House of Representatives. |
6 | (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), to provide access to |
7 | information relating to bills, legislative histories and |
8 | session calendars to the Governor's Office, the Office of |
9 | Attorney General, the Auditor General, the State Treasurer, |
10 | the heads of other departments and such other offices within |
11 | State government as the committee, with the approval of the |
12 | Committee on Management Operations of the Senate and the Bi- |
13 | partisan Management Committee of the House of |
14 | Representatives, shall determine. |
15 | (4) To appoint and employ an executive director, who |
16 | shall be the chief executive officer of the committee, and |
17 | such other personnel as the committee may deem necessary in |
18 | the performance of its duties and to fix the compensation of |
19 | the executive director and other personnel. |
20 | (5) To enter into contracts for the services of such |
21 | professional, expert or technical services as the committee |
22 | may deem necessary in the performance of its duties. |
23 | (6) To purchase or rent such equipment and supplies as |
24 | the committee may deem necessary in the performance of its |
25 | duties. |
26 | (7) To select its own chairman, vice chairman and such |
27 | other officers as the committee may deem necessary in the |
28 | performance of its duties. |
29 | (8) To make such rules and regulations as the committee |
30 | may deem necessary to properly carry out the most efficient |
|
1 | use of a legislative data processing system. |
2 | § 5504. Duties and qualifications of executive director. |
3 | The executive director shall perform such duties as shall be |
4 | assigned to that office by the committee and must have the |
5 | following qualifications to be eligible for appointment: |
6 | (1) a master's degree in mathematics, physics, computer |
7 | technology or some related field of study from an accredited |
8 | institution of higher learning; |
9 | (2) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution |
10 | of higher learning and at least three years of practical |
11 | experience in computer technology; |
12 | (3) at least five years of practical experience in |
13 | computer technology of which at least two years must have |
14 | included administrative and technical responsibility for |
15 | developing and implementing a computer-oriented data |
16 | processing system; or |
17 | (4) at least three years of practical experience in |
18 | developing computer data processing systems and any partial |
19 | combination of the experience qualifications specified in |
20 | paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) which in the committee's judgment |
21 | will result in the selection of an executive director capable |
22 | of performing the duties prescribed in this chapter. |
23 | § 5505. Prohibitions. |
24 | (a) General rule.--No person designated by the committee as |
25 | a professional employee, including the executive director, |
26 | shall: |
27 | (1) Be a member of or delegate or alternate to a |
28 | political convention, nor participate at any such convention, |
29 | except in the performance of the person's official duty or as |
30 | a visitor. |
|
1 | (2) Serve as a member of any committee of any political |
2 | party, take an active part in political management or in |
3 | political campaigns, use the person's office or position to |
4 | influence political movements or to influence the political |
5 | action of an officer or employee in the classified service. |
6 | (3) Circulate or seek signatures to a nomination or |
7 | other petition required by any primary or election law. |
8 | (4) Seek or accept election, nomination or appointment |
9 | as an officer of a political club or organization or serve as |
10 | a member of a committee of any such club or organization. |
11 | (5) In any manner participate in or interfere with the |
12 | conduct of any election or the preparation therefor at the |
13 | polling place or with the election officers while counting |
14 | the votes or returning the election material to the place |
15 | provided by law for that purpose. This paragraph shall not |
16 | apply to making and depositing the person's own ballot as |
17 | speedily as it reasonably can be done. |
18 | (6) Be within the polling place or within 50 feet of a |
19 | polling place, except for the purpose of carrying out the |
20 | person's official duties and of ordinary travel or residence |
21 | during the period of time beginning with one hour preceding |
22 | the opening of the polls for holding such election and ending |
23 | with the time when the election officers shall have finished |
24 | counting the votes and have left the polling place for the |
25 | purpose of depositing the election material in the place |
26 | provided by law for that purpose. |
27 | (b) Preservation of rights.--The rights of an individual as |
28 | a citizen are not impaired by this section, and the prerogative |
29 | to attend meetings, to hear or see any candidate or nominee or |
30 | to express one's individual opinion shall remain inviolate. |
|
1 | § 5506. Reimbursement of expenses. |
2 | The members of the committee shall serve without |
3 | compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their expenses |
4 | incurred: |
5 | (1) While attending sessions of the committee or |
6 | meetings of any subcommittee of the committee. |
7 | (2) While engaged in other committee business authorized |
8 | by the committee. |
9 | (3) In going to and coming from meetings of the |
10 | committee or its subcommittees. |
11 | (4) For travel and other committee business when |
12 | authorized by the committee. |
13 | CHAPTER 57 |
14 | CAPITOL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE |
15 | Sec. |
16 | 5701. Legislative findings and declaration of policy. |
17 | 5702. Definitions. |
18 | 5703. Capitol Preservation Committee. |
19 | 5704. Powers and duties. |
20 | 5705. Capitol Restoration Trust Fund. |
21 | § 5701. Legislative findings and declaration of policy. |
22 | The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: |
23 | (1) This Commonwealth has a rich heritage of historical |
24 | buildings, structures, documents, artifacts and other objects |
25 | and resources which bear witness to its growth as one of the |
26 | great states of this nation. |
27 | (2) Efforts have been made toward the restoration and |
28 | preservation of buildings, structures, documents, artifacts and |
29 | objects evidencing the history of this eminent Commonwealth and |
30 | of the General Assembly and these efforts should be continued |
|
1 | and intensified. |
2 | (3) Particular attention should be given to the preservation |
3 | of the architectural and historical integrity of the State |
4 | Capitol Building and to the restoration and preservation of |
5 | artifacts, documents and other historical objects and resources |
6 | located within that building. |
7 | (4) The most effective way to promote and foster the |
8 | historic preservation of the State Capitol Building is by the |
9 | establishment of a committee to supervise and coordinate this |
10 | work. |
11 | § 5702. Definitions. |
12 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
13 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
14 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
15 | "Committee." The Capitol Preservation Committee established |
16 | by this chapter. |
17 | "Fund." The Capitol Restoration Trust Fund established by |
18 | this chapter. |
19 | § 5703. Capitol Preservation Committee. |
20 | (a) Establishment.--The Capitol Preservation Committee is |
21 | established and shall supervise and coordinate the historic |
22 | preservation of the State Capitol Building and the preservation |
23 | and restoration of historical documents, artifacts and other |
24 | objects and resources located in or associated with the State |
25 | Capitol Building. |
26 | (b) Membership.--The committee shall be composed of the |
27 | following: |
28 | (1) Four members of the Senate to be appointed by the |
29 | President pro tempore of the Senate, two from the majority |
30 | party and two from the minority party. |
|
1 | (2) Four members of the House of Representatives to be |
2 | appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two |
3 | from the majority party and two from the minority party. |
4 | (3) One member, appointed by the Chief Justice of |
5 | Pennsylvania, who is not a member of the judiciary. |
6 | (4) The Secretary of General Services or the secretary's |
7 | designee. |
8 | (5) The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania |
9 | Historical and Museum Commission or the executive director's |
10 | designee. |
11 | (6) Three members appointed by the Governor, which |
12 | members shall include individuals with experience in |
13 | restoration of monumental buildings or a background in |
14 | historical restoration or fine arts conservation. |
15 | (b.1) Restriction.--No member appointed under subsection (b) |
16 | (3) or (6) shall be a member of the executive, legislative or |
17 | judicial branch of State government at the time of the person's |
18 | appointment. |
19 | (c) Terms.-- |
20 | (1) Members appointed under subsection (b)(1) and (2) |
21 | shall be appointed at the commencement of a regular session |
22 | of the General Assembly in each odd-numbered year. These |
23 | appointments shall take effect 31 days following the |
24 | convening of the session, and the terms of these members |
25 | shall run until 30 days after the convening of the next |
26 | regular session of the General Assembly. |
27 | (2) The terms of members enumerated in subsection (b)(4) |
28 | and (5) shall be coincident with their respective offices. |
29 | (3) The terms of members appointed under subsection (b) |
30 | (3) and (6) shall be coincident with that of the appointing |
|
1 | Governor, President pro tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the |
2 | House of Representatives and Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. |
3 | (d) Vacancies.--Vacancies in the membership of the committee |
4 | shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the |
5 | same manner as the original appointment. |
6 | (e) Organization and procedure.-- |
7 | (1) The committee shall elect by a majority of all its |
8 | members a chairman and vice chairman from among its members, |
9 | each to serve for a term of two years, and the committee |
10 | shall meet not less than twice each year. |
11 | (2) A majority of all the members of the committee shall |
12 | constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. |
13 | (3) The committee may adopt rules for its government, |
14 | organization and procedures not inconsistent with the |
15 | provisions of this chapter. |
16 | (f) Expenses.--Members of the committee shall receive no |
17 | compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all |
18 | necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in |
19 | connection with the performance of their duties as members. |
20 | § 5704. Powers and duties. |
21 | In addition to other powers and duties conferred by this |
22 | chapter, the committee shall have the following powers and |
23 | duties: |
24 | (1) To develop a comprehensive plan and program for the |
25 | historic preservation and restoration of the State Capitol |
26 | Building. |
27 | (2) To monitor the making of all major repairs, |
28 | alterations and improvements in and about the State Capitol |
29 | Building, including the furnishing and refurnishing of the |
30 | building, where such repairs, alterations or improvements may |
|
1 | alter or otherwise affect the architectural and historical |
2 | integrity of the building. |
3 | (3) To monitor the maintenance, restoration, |
4 | preservation and rehabilitation of historical documents, |
5 | artifacts and other historical objects or resources located |
6 | within and around, or associated with, the State Capitol |
7 | Building. |
8 | (4) To acquire on behalf of the Commonwealth artifacts, |
9 | documents and other historical objects or resources which |
10 | contribute to the historical significance of the State |
11 | Capitol Building. |
12 | (5) To receive for and on behalf of the Commonwealth |
13 | gifts or bequests of artifacts, documents and other |
14 | historical objects or resources which contribute to the |
15 | historical significance of the State Capitol Building. |
16 | (6) To assist in the preservation of other buildings and |
17 | structures located within the Capitol Complex. |
18 | (7) To accept grants and subsidies from and enter into |
19 | agreements or other transactions with any Federal agency or |
20 | agency of the Commonwealth or other entity. |
21 | (8) To enter into contracts and to execute all |
22 | instruments necessary or convenient for carrying on its |
23 | operations. |
24 | (9) To issue appropriate regulations for the |
25 | implementation of this chapter. |
26 | (10) To do all other things necessary or convenient to |
27 | carry out the powers and duties conferred by this chapter. |
28 | § 5705. Capitol Restoration Trust Fund. |
29 | (a) Establishment.--The Capitol Restoration Trust Fund is |
30 | established in the State Treasury. The fund shall be |
|
1 | administered by the committee and all moneys in the fund are |
2 | appropriated to the committee on a continuing basis. |
3 | (b) Purpose.--The moneys in the fund shall be used for: |
4 | (1) The maintenance, restoration, preservation and |
5 | rehabilitation of artifacts, documents and other historical |
6 | objects or resources located within and around or associated |
7 | with the State Capitol Building or acquired by the committee. |
8 | (2) The acquisition of artifacts, documents and other |
9 | historical objects or resources, including, but not limited |
10 | to, statuary, art or any element which contributes to the |
11 | historical significance of the State Capitol Building. |
12 | (c) Contributions, solicitation of funds.-- |
13 | (1) The committee may: |
14 | (i) Accept on behalf of the Commonwealth gifts, |
15 | donations, legacies and usages of money from individuals, |
16 | organizations, public or private corporations and other |
17 | similar entities. |
18 | (ii) Solicit and raise moneys from public and |
19 | private sources through the sale of commemorative medals |
20 | and other items of a similar nature which promote the |
21 | historic preservation and restoration of the State |
22 | Capitol Building. |
23 | (2) Except for appropriations made by the General |
24 | Assembly, all moneys received or raised under this section |
25 | shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the |
26 | fund. |
27 | (d) Operating expenses.--Appropriations made by the General |
28 | Assembly to the committee shall be used for: |
29 | (1) Payment of necessary travel and other reasonable |
30 | expenses of committee members. |
|
1 | (2) The compensation and expenses of staff for the |
2 | committee. |
3 | (3) Administrative expenses. |
4 | (4) Administering the provisions of the chapter. |
5 | CHAPTER 59 |
6 | PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON SENTENCING |
7 | Sec. |
8 | 5901. Definitions. |
9 | 5902. Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing established. |
10 | 5903. Composition of commission. |
11 | 5904. Powers and duties. |
12 | 5905. Adoption of guidelines for sentencing. |
13 | 5906. Adoption of guidelines for county intermediate |
14 | punishment. |
15 | 5907. Adoption of guidelines for State intermediate punishment. |
16 | 5908. Adoption of guidelines for fines. |
17 | 5909. Adoption of guidelines for resentencing. |
18 | 5910. Adoption of guidelines for parole. |
19 | 5911. Adoption of recommitment ranges following revocation of |
20 | parole by board. |
21 | 5912. Adoption of risk assessment instrument. |
22 | 5913. Publication of guidelines for sentencing, resentencing |
23 | and parole and recommitment ranges following |
24 | revocation. |
25 | § 5901. Definitions. |
26 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
27 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
28 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
29 | "Board." The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. |
30 | "Commission." The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing |
|
1 | established by this chapter. |
2 | "Department." The Department of Corrections of the |
3 | Commonwealth. |
4 | § 5902. Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing established. |
5 | (a) General rule.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing |
6 | is established as an agency of the General Assembly and shall |
7 | consist of 11 persons selected as provided in this chapter. |
8 | (b) Seal.--The commission shall have a seal engraved with |
9 | its name and such other inscription as may be specified by |
10 | regulation of the commission. |
11 | § 5903. Composition of commission. |
12 | (a) General rule.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing |
13 | shall consist of: |
14 | (1) Two members of the House of Representatives selected |
15 | by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, no more than |
16 | one of whom shall be of the same political party. |
17 | (2) Two members of the Senate selected by the President |
18 | pro tempore of the Senate, no more than one of whom shall be |
19 | of the same political party. |
20 | (3) Four judges of courts of record selected by the |
21 | Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. |
22 | (4) Three persons appointed by the Governor, who shall |
23 | be, respectively: |
24 | (i) A district attorney. |
25 | (ii) A defense attorney. |
26 | (iii) Either a professor of law or a criminologist. |
27 | (a.1) Ex officio members.--The Secretary of Corrections, the |
28 | victim advocate appointed under section 301 of the act of |
29 | November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims |
30 | Act, and the chairman of the board, during their tenure in their |
|
1 | respective positions, shall serve as ex officio nonvoting |
2 | members of the commission. |
3 | (b) Terms of office.--The members of the commission shall |
4 | serve for terms of two years and until a successor has been |
5 | selected and qualified. A vacancy on the commission shall be |
6 | filled for the balance of the term. |
7 | (c) Chairman and executive director.--The commission shall |
8 | select a chairman from its members and an executive director. |
9 | The chairman shall: |
10 | (1) Preside at meetings of the commission. |
11 | (2) Direct the preparation of requests for |
12 | appropriations for the commission and the use of funds made |
13 | available to the commission. |
14 | (d) Meetings and quorum.-- |
15 | (1) The commission shall meet at least four times a year |
16 | and not less than semiannually to establish its general |
17 | policies and rules. |
18 | (2) The commission shall be deemed an "agency" within |
19 | the meaning of and shall be subject to the provisions of 65 |
20 | Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings). |
21 | (3) Seven commissioners shall constitute a quorum for |
22 | the purpose of adopting proposed initial and initial and |
23 | subsequent guidelines. A majority of commissioners shall |
24 | constitute a quorum for all other purposes. |
25 | (4) Minutes of meetings shall be kept by the executive |
26 | director and filed at the executive office of the commission. |
27 | (e) Records of action.--Except as otherwise provided by |
28 | statute, the commission shall maintain and make available for |
29 | public inspection a record of the final vote of each member on |
30 | any action taken by it. |
|
1 | (f) Expenses.--A commissioner shall be entitled to |
2 | reimbursement for the commissioner's accountable expenses |
3 | incurred while engaged in the business of the commission. |
4 | § 5904. Powers and duties. |
5 | (a) General rule.--The commission, pursuant to rules and |
6 | regulations, shall have the power to: |
7 | (1) Establish general policies and promulgate such rules |
8 | and regulations for the commission as are necessary to carry |
9 | out the purposes of this chapter and 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 |
10 | (relating to sentencing). |
11 | (2) Utilize, with their consent, the services, |
12 | equipment, personnel, information and facilities of Federal, |
13 | State, local and private agencies and instrumentalities with |
14 | or without reimbursement therefor. |
15 | (3) Enter into and perform such contracts, leases, |
16 | cooperative agreements and other transactions as may be |
17 | necessary in the conduct of the functions of the commission, |
18 | with any public agency or with any person, firm, association, |
19 | corporation, educational institution or nonprofit |
20 | organization. |
21 | (4) Request such information, data and reports from any |
22 | officer or agency of the State government as the commission |
23 | may from time to time require and as may be produced |
24 | consistent with other law. |
25 | (5) Arrange with the head of any government unit for the |
26 | performance by the government unit of any function of the |
27 | commission, with or without reimbursement. |
28 | (6) Issue invitations requesting the attendance and |
29 | testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence |
30 | that relates directly to a matter with respect to which the |
|
1 | commission or any member thereof is empowered to make a |
2 | determination under this chapter. |
3 | (7) Establish a research and development program within |
4 | the commission for the purpose of: |
5 | (i) Serving as a clearinghouse and information |
6 | center for the collection, preparation and dissemination |
7 | of information on Commonwealth sentencing, resentencing |
8 | and parole practices. |
9 | (ii) Assisting and serving in a consulting capacity |
10 | to the board, State courts, departments and agencies in |
11 | the development, maintenance and coordination of sound |
12 | sentencing, resentencing and parole practices. |
13 | (8) Collect systematically the data obtained from |
14 | studies, research and the empirical experience of public and |
15 | private agencies concerning the sentencing processes. |
16 | (9) Publish data concerning the sentencing and parole |
17 | processes. |
18 | (10) Collect systematically and disseminate information |
19 | concerning parole dispositions and sentences actually |
20 | imposed, including initial sentences and any subsequent |
21 | modification of sentences or resentences following revocation |
22 | or remand, and parole and reparole decisions by the board and |
23 | any other paroling authority. |
24 | (11) Collect systematically and disseminate information |
25 | regarding effectiveness of parole dispositions and sentences |
26 | imposed. |
27 | (12) Make recommendations to the General Assembly |
28 | concerning modification or enactment of sentencing, parole |
29 | and correctional statutes which the commission finds to be |
30 | necessary and advisable to carry out an effective, humane and |
|
1 | rational sentencing, resentencing and parole policy. |
2 | (13) Establish a plan and timetable to collect and |
3 | disseminate information relating to incapacitation, |
4 | recidivism, deterrence and overall effectiveness of sentences |
5 | and parole dispositions imposed. |
6 | (14) Establish a program to systematically monitor |
7 | compliance with the guidelines, with recommitment ranges and |
8 | with mandatory sentencing laws to document eligibility for |
9 | and releases pursuant to a county reentry plan, to document |
10 | eligibility for and imposition of recidivism risk reduction |
11 | incentive minimum sentences and to document all parole and |
12 | reparole decisions by the board and any other paroling |
13 | authority by: |
14 | (i) Promulgating forms which document the |
15 | application of sentencing, resentencing and parole |
16 | guidelines, mandatory sentencing laws, releases pursuant |
17 | to a county reentry plan, recommitment ranges and |
18 | recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum sentences and |
19 | collecting information on all parole and reparole |
20 | decisions by the board and any other paroling authority. |
21 | (ii) Requiring the timely completion and electronic |
22 | submission of such forms to the commission. |
23 | (15) Prior to adoption of changes to guidelines for |
24 | sentencing, resentencing and parole and recommitment ranges |
25 | following revocation, use a correctional population |
26 | simulation model to determine: |
27 | (i) Resources that are required under current |
28 | guidelines and ranges. |
29 | (ii) Resources that would be required to carry out |
30 | any proposed changes to the guidelines and ranges. |
|
1 | (b) Annual reports.--The commission shall report annually to |
2 | the Governor, the General Assembly and the Administrative Office |
3 | of Pennsylvania Courts on the activities of the commission. |
4 | (c) Additional powers and duties.--The commission shall have |
5 | such other powers and duties and shall perform such other |
6 | functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this |
7 | chapter or as may be provided under any other provision of law |
8 | and may delegate to any commissioner or designated person such |
9 | powers as may be appropriate other than the power to establish |
10 | general policies, guidelines, rules and factors under subsection |
11 | (a)(1). |
12 | § 5905. Adoption of guidelines for sentencing. |
13 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall adopt guidelines for |
14 | sentencing within the limits established by law which shall be |
15 | considered by the sentencing court in determining the |
16 | appropriate sentence for defendants who plead guilty or nolo |
17 | contendere to, or who were found guilty of, felonies and |
18 | misdemeanors. In adopting guidelines, the commission shall |
19 | recommend confinement that is consistent with the protection of |
20 | the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to the |
21 | impact on the life of the victim and the community and the |
22 | rehabilitative needs of the offender. The guidelines shall |
23 | address the following: |
24 | (1) Seriousness of the offense, by specifying the range |
25 | of sentences applicable to crimes of a given degree of |
26 | gravity, including incapacitation of serious violent |
27 | offenders. |
28 | (2) Criminal history, by specifying a range of sentences |
29 | of increased severity for offenders previously convicted of |
30 | or adjudicated delinquent for one or more misdemeanor or |
|
1 | felony offenses committed prior to the current offense. |
2 | (3) Criminal behavior, by specifying a range of |
3 | sentences of increased severity for offenders who pose a |
4 | substantial risk to public safety, including those who |
5 | possessed or used a deadly weapon during the commission of |
6 | the current conviction offense. |
7 | (4) Aggravated and mitigated ranges, by specifying |
8 | variations from the range of sentences applicable on account |
9 | of aggravating or mitigating circumstances. |
10 | (5) The impact of any amendments to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9756 |
11 | (relating to sentence of total confinement). |
12 | (b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following |
13 | words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this |
14 | subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: |
15 | "Possessed." On a defendant's person or within the |
16 | defendant's immediate physical control. |
17 | "Previously convicted of or adjudicated delinquent." Any |
18 | finding of guilt or adjudication of delinquency, whether or not |
19 | sentence has been imposed or disposition ordered prior to the |
20 | commission of the current offense. |
21 | § 5906. Adoption of guidelines for county intermediate |
22 | punishment. |
23 | The commission shall adopt guidelines to identify offenders |
24 | who would be eligible and appropriate for participation in |
25 | county intermediate punishment programs. These guidelines shall |
26 | be considered by the sentencing court in determining whether to |
27 | sentence an offender pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9763 (relating to |
28 | sentence of county intermediate punishment). The guidelines |
29 | shall: |
30 | (1) Use the description of "eligible offender" provided |
|
1 | in 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 98 (relating to county intermediate |
2 | punishment). |
3 | (2) Give primary consideration to protection of the |
4 | public safety. |
5 | § 5907. Adoption of guidelines for State intermediate |
6 | punishment. |
7 | The commission shall adopt guidelines to identify offenders |
8 | who would be appropriate for participation in State intermediate |
9 | punishment programs. These guidelines shall be considered by the |
10 | attorney for the Commonwealth and the sentencing court in |
11 | determining whether to commit a defendant for evaluation and |
12 | whether to sentence an eligible offender pursuant to 61 Pa.C.S. |
13 | Ch. 41 (relating to State intermediate punishment). The |
14 | guidelines shall: |
15 | (1) Use the description of "eligible offender" provided |
16 | in 61 Pa.C.S. Ch. 41. |
17 | (2) Give primary consideration to protection of the |
18 | public safety. |
19 | § 5908. Adoption of guidelines for fines. |
20 | The commission shall adopt guidelines for fines or other |
21 | lawful economic sanctions, within the limits established by law, |
22 | which shall be considered by the sentencing court in determining |
23 | the appropriate sentence for defendants who plead guilty or nolo |
24 | contendere to or who are found guilty of felonies and |
25 | misdemeanors. The guidelines shall do all of the following: |
26 | (1) Specify the range of fines or other lawful economic |
27 | sanctions, applicable to crimes of a given degree of gravity. |
28 | (2) Specify a range of fines or other lawful economic |
29 | sanctions of increased amount for defendants previously |
30 | convicted or adjudicated delinquent for one or more |
|
1 | misdemeanor or felony offenses committed prior to the current |
2 | offense. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "previously |
3 | convicted or adjudicated delinquent" shall include any |
4 | finding of guilt or adjudication of delinquency whether or |
5 | not sentence has been imposed or disposition ordered prior to |
6 | the commission of the current offense. |
7 | (3) Prescribe variations from the range of fines |
8 | applicable on account of aggravating or mitigating |
9 | circumstances. |
10 | (4) Prescribe community service alternatives which may |
11 | be imposed in lieu of all or part of the fines where the |
12 | sentencing court finds the defendant lacks the ability to pay |
13 | all or part of the fine. |
14 | § 5909. Adoption of guidelines for resentencing. |
15 | The commission shall adopt guidelines that shall be |
16 | considered by the court when resentencing an offender following |
17 | revocation of probation, county intermediate punishment or State |
18 | intermediate punishment. The guidelines shall take into account: |
19 | (1) Factors considered in adopting the sentencing |
20 | guidelines. |
21 | (2) The seriousness of the violation. |
22 | (3) The rehabilitative needs of the defendant. |
23 | § 5910. Adoption of guidelines for parole. |
24 | (a) Adoption.--The commission shall adopt guidelines that |
25 | shall be considered by the board and any other paroling entity |
26 | when exercising its power to parole and reparole all persons |
27 | sentenced by any court in this Commonwealth to imprisonment in |
28 | any correctional institution. The guidelines shall do all of the |
29 | following: |
30 | (1) Give primary consideration to the protection of the |
|
1 | public and to victim safety. |
2 | (2) Provide for due consideration of victim input. |
3 | (3) Be designed to encourage inmates and parolees to |
4 | conduct themselves in accordance with conditions and rules of |
5 | conduct established by the department or other prison |
6 | facilities and the board. |
7 | (4) Be designed to encourage inmates and parolees to |
8 | participate in programs that have been demonstrated to be |
9 | effective in reducing recidivism, including appropriate drug |
10 | and alcohol treatment programs. |
11 | (5) Provide for prioritization of incarceration, |
12 | rehabilitation and other criminal justice resources for |
13 | offenders posing the greatest risk to public safety. |
14 | (6) Use validated risk assessment tools, be evidence |
15 | based and take into account available research relating to |
16 | the risk of recidivism, minimizing the threat posed to public |
17 | safety and factors maximizing the success of reentry. |
18 | (b) Discretionary authority.--Notwithstanding any other |
19 | provision of law, this section shall not be construed to remove |
20 | the discretionary parole authority of the board and any other |
21 | paroling entity when exercising its power to parole and |
22 | reparole. |
23 | § 5911. Adoption of recommitment ranges following revocation of |
24 | parole by board. |
25 | (a) Recommitment ranges.-- |
26 | (1) The commission shall adopt recommitment ranges that |
27 | shall be considered by the board when exercising its power to |
28 | reparole, commit and recommit for violations of parole any |
29 | person sentenced by a court in this Commonwealth to |
30 | imprisonment in any correctional institution. The |
|
1 | recommitment ranges shall take into account the seriousness |
2 | of the initial conviction offense, the level of seriousness |
3 | of the violation and the rehabilitative needs of the |
4 | defendant. |
5 | (2) At the end of the recommittal period, a parole |
6 | violator shall be reviewed for parole or, without further |
7 | review, shall be reparoled. |
8 | (b) Deviation.--In every case in which the board deviates |
9 | from the recommitment ranges, the board shall provide a |
10 | contemporaneous written statement of the reasons for the |
11 | deviation from the recommitment ranges to the commission as |
12 | established under section 5904(a)(14) (relating to powers and |
13 | duties). |
14 | (c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following |
15 | words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this |
16 | subsection: |
17 | "Recommitment range." A range of time within which a parole |
18 | violator may be recommitted to serve an additional part of the |
19 | term the parole violator would have been compelled to serve had |
20 | the parole violator not been paroled. |
21 | § 5912. Adoption of risk assessment instrument. |
22 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall adopt a sentence |
23 | risk assessment instrument for the sentencing court to use to |
24 | help determine the appropriate sentence within the limits |
25 | established by law for defendants who plead guilty or nolo |
26 | contendere to or who were found guilty of felonies and |
27 | misdemeanors. The risk assessment instrument may be used as an |
28 | aide in evaluating the relative risk that an offender will |
29 | reoffend and be a threat to public safety. |
30 | (b) Sentencing guidelines.--The risk assessment instrument |
|
1 | may be incorporated into the sentencing guidelines under section |
2 | 5905 (relating to adoption of guidelines for sentencing). |
3 | (c) Presentence investigation report.--Subject to the |
4 | provisions of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, the |
5 | sentencing court may use the risk assessment instrument to |
6 | determine whether a more thorough assessment is necessary and to |
7 | order a presentence investigation report. |
8 | (d) Alternative sentencing.--Subject to the eligibility |
9 | requirements of each program, the risk assessment instrument may |
10 | be an aide to help determine appropriate candidates for |
11 | alternative sentencing, including the recidivism risk reduction |
12 | incentive, State and county intermediate punishment programs and |
13 | State motivational boot camps. |
14 | (e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "risk |
15 | assessment instrument" means an empirically based worksheet |
16 | which uses factors that are relevant in predicting recidivism. |
17 | § 5913. Publication of guidelines for sentencing, resentencing |
18 | and parole and recommitment ranges following |
19 | revocation. |
20 | (a) General rule.--The commission shall: |
21 | (1) Prior to adoption, publish in the Pennsylvania |
22 | Bulletin all proposed sentencing guidelines, resentencing |
23 | guidelines following revocation of probation, county |
24 | intermediate punishment and State intermediate punishment, |
25 | parole guidelines and recommitment ranges following |
26 | revocation by the board of paroles granted, and hold public |
27 | hearings not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days |
28 | thereafter to afford an opportunity for the following persons |
29 | and organizations to testify: |
30 | (i) Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. |
|
1 | (ii) Chiefs of Police Associations. |
2 | (iii) Fraternal Order of Police. |
3 | (iv) Public Defenders Organization. |
4 | (v) Law school faculty members. |
5 | (vi) State Board of Probation and Parole. |
6 | (vii) Department of Corrections. |
7 | (viii) Pennsylvania Bar Association. |
8 | (ix) Pennsylvania Wardens Association. |
9 | (x) Pennsylvania Association on Probation, Parole |
10 | and Corrections. |
11 | (xi) Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. |
12 | (xii) Any other interested person or organization. |
13 | (2) Publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin sentencing |
14 | guidelines as adopted by the commission. |
15 | (b) Rejection by General Assembly.--Subject to gubernatorial |
16 | review pursuant to section 9 of Article III of the Constitution |
17 | of Pennsylvania, the General Assembly may by concurrent |
18 | resolution reject in their entirety any guidelines or |
19 | recommitment ranges adopted by the commission within 90 days of |
20 | their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin pursuant to |
21 | subsection (a)(2). |
22 | (c) Effective date.-- |
23 | (1) Sentencing guidelines, resentencing guidelines |
24 | following revocation of probation, county intermediate |
25 | punishment and State intermediate punishment, parole |
26 | guidelines and recommitment ranges following revocation by |
27 | the board of paroles granted, adopted by the commission shall |
28 | become effective 90 days after publication in the |
29 | Pennsylvania Bulletin pursuant to subsection (a)(2) unless |
30 | disapproved pursuant to subsection (b) and shall apply to |
|
1 | sentences and resentences and parole decisions made after the |
2 | effective date of the guidelines. |
3 | (2) If not disapproved, the commissioners shall conduct |
4 | training and orientation for trial court judges and board |
5 | members prior to the effective date of the guidelines and |
6 | recommitment ranges. |
7 | CHAPTER 61 |
8 | PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE FOR RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY |
9 | Sec. |
10 | 6101. Definitions. |
11 | 6102. Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy. |
12 | 6103. Executive director. |
13 | 6104. Powers and duties. |
14 | § 6101. Definitions. |
15 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
16 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
17 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
18 | "Executive director." The executive director of the office. |
19 | "Local government." A county, city, borough, town, township |
20 | or school district. |
21 | "Office." The Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public |
22 | Policy established by this chapter. |
23 | "Records." Books, papers, manuals, reports, verification |
24 | letters, work papers and other documentary materials, regardless |
25 | of physical form or characteristics, under the control of the |
26 | Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy or its |
27 | authorized representative which are maintained pursuant to a |
28 | project conducted under section 6104 (relating to powers and |
29 | duties) and the specific and unique information contained |
30 | therein. |
|
1 | § 6102. Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy. |
2 | The Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy is |
3 | established and shall be the central bicameral, bipartisan |
4 | research and policy development office for the General Assembly. |
5 | § 6103. Executive director. |
6 | (a) Election.--An executive director shall be in charge of |
7 | the office. The executive director shall be elected by the |
8 | members of the General Assembly biennially before the first day |
9 | of February, each odd-numbered year, by the Senate and the House |
10 | of Representatives in joint session. |
11 | (b) Qualifications.--The executive director shall be |
12 | qualified by experience, knowledge and ability to conduct the |
13 | work of the office. |
14 | (c) Duty to report.--The executive director shall report |
15 | regularly to the President pro tempore of the Senate, the |
16 | Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of |
17 | Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of |
18 | Representatives. |
19 | (d) Appointment of assistant executive director.--The |
20 | executive director may appoint an assistant executive director |
21 | and such other employees as the executive director deems |
22 | necessary to conduct the work of the office, including |
23 | attorneys, economists, fiscal analysts, public policy analysts |
24 | and other professional, technical and clerical staff. The |
25 | executive director shall oversee the development of policies for |
26 | the office regarding the reimbursement of expenses and other |
27 | administrative matters. |
28 | § 6104. Powers and duties. |
29 | (a) General authority.-- |
30 | (1) (i) The office shall conduct any investigation or |
|
1 | study and gather any information as may be deemed useful |
2 | to the General Assembly and to the standing committees of |
3 | the Senate and the House of Representatives. |
4 | (ii) A long-term study or investigation or a |
5 | codification project which is likely to take more than 90 |
6 | days to complete may only be initiated by a resolution of |
7 | the Senate or the House of Representatives. |
8 | (iii) The office shall have the power to call upon |
9 | any department or agency of the State government for |
10 | information as it deems pertinent to any investigation or |
11 | study. |
12 | (iv) The office may designate persons, other than |
13 | members of the General Assembly, to act in advisory |
14 | capacities. |
15 | (v) The office shall report to the General Assembly |
16 | or to the various standing committees of the Senate and |
17 | the House of Representatives findings and recommendations |
18 | accompanied with drafts of legislation as it deems |
19 | necessary for the information of the consideration by the |
20 | General Assembly. |
21 | (2) In making recommendations, the office shall consider |
22 | the fiscal impact on the Commonwealth. To the extent |
23 | possible, the office shall provide a cost-benefit analysis of |
24 | any recommendation. |
25 | (3) The office may accept requests for research |
26 | assistance from individual members of the General Assembly |
27 | and their staff. |
28 | (4) (i) Records which are created or obtained during |
29 | study projects under this section shall be treated as |
30 | confidential. Requests made of the office to inspect |
|
1 | identifiable records pertaining to a project under this |
2 | section shall be denied and the requesting party notified |
3 | that the records are considered to be confidential and |
4 | will not be made available for inspection. |
5 | (ii) The work papers underlying the office's studies |
6 | pursuant to this section shall be privileged from public |
7 | disclosure, including through discovery in a judicial or |
8 | administrative proceeding, because they show the |
9 | deliberative process of the office in carrying out its |
10 | role in the overall legislative method under Pennsylvania |
11 | law in studying, evaluating and recommending policy |
12 | improvement to State government and law. |
13 | (5) The office may issue subpoenas to compel the |
14 | attendance of witnesses and the production of any information |
15 | relevant to matters properly being inquired into by the |
16 | office under this section, to administer oaths and to cause |
17 | the deposition of witnesses, either residing within or |
18 | without this Commonwealth, to be taken in the manner |
19 | prescribed by law for taking depositions in civil actions. |
20 | The office may hold public hearings as it deems necessary. |
21 | (6) The office shall develop relationships with colleges |
22 | and universities in this Commonwealth so that faculty at |
23 | those colleges and universities may provide in-kind expertise |
24 | to the General Assembly to respond to research requests. |
25 | (7) The office shall have specific units which shall |
26 | include, but not be limited to, the areas of study under |
27 | subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e). |
28 | (b) Program evaluation.--The office shall: |
29 | (1) Make current examination of Commonwealth programs, |
30 | agencies and commissions to determine whether or not the |
|
1 | programs, agencies and commissions are functioning |
2 | efficiently and effectively and for the purposes and within |
3 | the statutory restrictions provided by the General Assembly. |
4 | (2) Before any report is publicly released by the office |
5 | under this subsection, the department, officer or agency of |
6 | the State government involved therein shall be afforded an |
7 | opportunity to comment and the comments shall be attached to |
8 | the office's report. |
9 | (3) The office shall have direct and unimpeded access to |
10 | all material it deems necessary, including, but not limited |
11 | to, personnel records, to fulfill its duties under this |
12 | subsection. The office and its authorized representatives |
13 | will follow oral and written procedures developed in |
14 | conjunction with subject agencies for the inspection and |
15 | copying of records maintained by agents of the subject agency |
16 | responsible for the custody of the records. The procedures |
17 | may not act to impede the nature of material to be accessed |
18 | by the office. |
19 | (c) Local government.--The office shall: |
20 | (1) Study and provide information about local government |
21 | including the study and investigation of the functions of |
22 | local government, the possibility of eliminating unnecessary |
23 | functions and the duplication and overlapping of functions. |
24 | (2) Study the following: |
25 | (i) The costs of local government, the ways and |
26 | means of reducing these costs and lessening the burden on |
27 | local taxpayers. The office shall identify and catalog |
28 | State mandates on local governments. |
29 | (ii) The advisability and feasibility of increasing |
30 | the areas or changing the boundaries of local |
|
1 | governments. |
2 | (iii) The establishment of larger units for |
3 | administration by consolidation of units of local |
4 | governments by cooperative arrangements between them for |
5 | the performance of certain functions. |
6 | (iv) Generally, the ways and means of organizing a |
7 | more modernized and efficient system of local government, |
8 | including recommendations to modernize local government |
9 | codes and related laws. |
10 | (3) Print or publish municipal codes electronically on |
11 | the office's Internet website in a secure format accessible |
12 | to the public and update such codes within 60 days of the |
13 | effective date of any amendment to the codes. |
14 | (4) Review intergovernmental cooperation agreements in |
15 | accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. § 2314 (relating to review of |
16 | agreement by Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public |
17 | Policy). |
18 | (5) Exercise other functions as may be deemed necessary |
19 | to provide information to and assist local governments and |
20 | municipal associations. |
21 | (d) Air and water pollution.--The office shall: |
22 | (1) Conduct continuing studies of air and water |
23 | pollution laws, including the enforcement of those laws, and |
24 | recommend needed changes to the General Assembly. |
25 | (2) Conduct continuing studies of mining practices, |
26 | including deep mining, strip mining, open pit mining and |
27 | quarrying, the restoration of land that has been mined and |
28 | the laws relating to the restoration of land where mining |
29 | operations have occurred. |
30 | (3) Receive complaints and hold hearings related to the |
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1 | subject matter in paragraphs (1) and (2). |
2 | (e) Rural conditions.--The office shall: |
3 | (1) Administer grants to conduct research on matters |
4 | relating to rural conditions to facilitate and coordinate |
5 | basic and applied research and service components related to |
6 | issues regarding the welfare of rural Pennsylvania. |
7 | (2) Make grants available only to the qualified faculty |
8 | members of the various universities of the State System of |
9 | Higher Education, the current land grant university and the |
10 | regional campuses of the University of Pittsburgh. No grant |
11 | shall exceed the sum of $60,000. The subject areas of the |
12 | grant program shall be: rural people and communities, |
13 | economic development, local government finance and |
14 | administration, community services, natural resources and |
15 | environment, educational outreach, rural values and social |
16 | change, agriculture and health and welfare concerns. |
17 | (3) Develop and maintain an appropriate base of |
18 | knowledge and information about rural conditions and needs |
19 | through a database. The database shall include the following |
20 | major areas of concern: agriculture, economic development, |
21 | local government capacity and fiscal stress indicators, |
22 | transportation, sociodemographics, health care and human |
23 | services, environment and natural resources, education and |
24 | condition of the extant local infrastructure of |
25 | Pennsylvania's rural communities. The data shall be arranged |
26 | in such a manner so as to facilitate the monitoring of |
27 | relationships between and among the various sectors |
28 | identified for inclusion in the information system. |
29 | Section 9. Section 2314 of Title 53 is amended to read: |
30 | § 2314. Review of agreement by [Local Government Commission] |
|
1 | Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy. |
2 | Every agreement between a local government and the |
3 | Commonwealth, any other state, government of another state or |
4 | the Federal Government under the provisions of this subchapter |
5 | shall, prior to and as a condition precedent to enactment of an |
6 | ordinance, be submitted to the [Local Government Commission] |
7 | Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy for review |
8 | and recommendation. The [commission] office shall within [60] 90 |
9 | days of receipt of the agreement determine whether it is in |
10 | proper form and compatible with the laws of this Commonwealth. |
11 | Failure of the [commission] office to make recommendations |
12 | within [60] 90 days of receipt of the agreement shall constitute |
13 | a recommendation in favor of the agreement. |
14 | Section 10. Sections 6131(a)(12), 6134.1(a) and (b) and |
15 | 6137(a)(1), (b), (h)(2) and (i) of Title 61 are amended to read: |
16 | § 6131. General powers of board. |
17 | (a) General rule.--The board shall have the power and its |
18 | duty shall be: |
19 | * * * |
20 | (12) To provide information as required under [42 |
21 | Pa.C.S. § 2153(a)(14) (relating to powers and duties)] 46 |
22 | Pa.C.S. § 5904(a)(14) (relating to powers and duties) as |
23 | requested by the commission. |
24 | * * * |
25 | § 6134.1. General criteria for parole by court. |
26 | (a) Guidelines.--The court may parole or reparole subject to |
27 | consideration of guidelines established under [42 Pa.C.S. § |
28 | 2154.5] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5910 (relating to adoption of guidelines |
29 | for parole). |
30 | (b) Report of decision to commission.--If a court paroles or |
|
1 | reparoles a person, the court shall report the parole or |
2 | reparole decision and shall provide a contemporaneous written |
3 | statement for any deviation from the guidelines established |
4 | under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154.5] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5910, to the commission |
5 | under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2153(a)(14)] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5904(a)(14) |
6 | (relating to powers and duties). |
7 | * * * |
8 | § 6137. Parole power. |
9 | (a) General criteria for parole.-- |
10 | (1) The board may parole subject to consideration of |
11 | guidelines established under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154.5] 46 Pa.C.S. |
12 | § 5910 (relating to adoption of guidelines for parole) and |
13 | may release on parole any inmate to whom the power to parole |
14 | is granted to the board by this chapter, except an inmate |
15 | condemned to death or serving life imprisonment, whenever in |
16 | its opinion: |
17 | (i) The best interests of the inmate justify or |
18 | require that the inmate be paroled. |
19 | (ii) It does not appear that the interests of the |
20 | Commonwealth will be injured by the inmate's parole. |
21 | * * * |
22 | (b) Cases involving deviations from guidelines.--In each |
23 | case in which the board deviates from the guidelines established |
24 | under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154.5] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5910, the board shall |
25 | provide a contemporaneous written statement of the reason for |
26 | the deviation from the guidelines to the commission as |
27 | established under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2153(a)(14)] 46 Pa.C.S. § |
28 | 5904(a)(14) (relating to powers and duties). The board may |
29 | develop and use internal decisional instruments. This subsection |
30 | shall not be construed to prevent the board from also developing |
|
1 | forms or other documents, policies and procedures consistent |
2 | with this chapter, including internal decisional instruments. |
3 | * * * |
4 | (h) Power to recommit.-- |
5 | * * * |
6 | (2) In exercising these powers, the board shall consider |
7 | any applicable recommitment ranges established by the |
8 | commission under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154.6] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5911 |
9 | (relating to adoption of recommitment ranges following |
10 | revocation of parole by board). |
11 | (i) Cases involving deviations from guidelines.--In each |
12 | case in which the board deviates from the recommitment ranges |
13 | established under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154.6] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5911, the |
14 | board shall provide a contemporaneous written statement of the |
15 | reason for the deviation from the recommitment ranges to the |
16 | commission, as established under [42 Pa.C.S. § 2153(a)(14)] 46 |
17 | Pa.C.S. § 5904(a)(14). |
18 | * * * |
19 | Section 11. Sections 3732(b)(3) and 3732.1(b)(4) of Title |
20 | 75, amended or added October 19, 2010 (P.L.557, No.81), are |
21 | amended to read: |
22 | § 3732. Homicide by vehicle. |
23 | * * * |
24 | (b) Sentencing.-- |
25 | * * * |
26 | (3) The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, pursuant |
27 | to [42 Pa.C.S. § 2154] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5905 (relating to |
28 | adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a |
29 | sentencing enhancement for an offense under this section when |
30 | the violation occurred in an active work zone or was the |
|
1 | result of a violation of section 3325 or 3327. |
2 | § 3732.1. Aggravated assault by vehicle. |
3 | * * * |
4 | (b) Sentencing.-- |
5 | * * * |
6 | (4) The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, under [42 |
7 | Pa.C.S. § 2154] 46 Pa.C.S. § 5905 (relating to adoption of |
8 | guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a sentencing |
9 | enhancement for an offense under this section when the |
10 | violation occurred in an active work zone or was the result |
11 | of a violation of section 3325 or 3327. |
12 | Section 12. On or after the effective date of this section, |
13 | a reference in any act, resolution or regulation to the Local |
14 | Government Commission, the Joint State Government Commission, |
15 | the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, the Joint |
16 | Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation |
17 | Committee, the Legislative Office of Research Liaison, or the |
18 | Center for Rural Pennsylvania shall be construed to mean the |
19 | Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy. |
20 | Section 13. Repeals are as follows: |
21 | (1) The General Assembly declares that the repeals under |
22 | paragraph (2) are necessary to effectuate this act. |
23 | (2) The following acts and parts of acts are repealed as |
24 | follows: |
25 | Act of May 7, 1923 (P.L.158, No.119), entitled "An act |
26 | creating a Legislative Reference Bureau; providing for the |
27 | election of a director by the General Assembly; designating |
28 | the officers and employes of such bureau, defining their |
29 | duties; fixing their salaries; abolishing the present |
30 | Legislative Reference Bureau; and making an appropriation." |
|
1 | Section 1763-B of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, |
2 | No.176), known as The Fiscal Code. |
3 | Act of May 29, 1935 (P.L.244, No.102), entitled "An act |
4 | creating a Local Government Commission to study and report on |
5 | functions of local government; their allocation and |
6 | elimination; the cost of local government and means of |
7 | reducing it; and the consolidation of local government; and |
8 | making an appropriation." |
9 | Act of July 1, 1937 (P.L.2460, No.459), entitled, as |
10 | amended, "An act creating a joint legislative commission, to |
11 | be known as the Joint State Government Commission; providing |
12 | for its membership, chairman and executive committee; |
13 | defining its powers and duties; and defining the powers and |
14 | duties of standing committees of the General Assembly." |
15 | Act of June 26, 1939 (P.L.1105, No.388), entitled "An act |
16 | authorizing and directing the Legislative Reference Bureau to |
17 | compile, edit and publish, a compilation of laws relating to |
18 | soldiers, sailors and marines, their dependents, and war |
19 | veteran organizations; and making an appropriation." |
20 | Act of August 4, 1959 (P.L.587, No.195), entitled, as |
21 | amended, "An act creating and establishing the Legislative |
22 | Budget and Finance Committee; providing for its membership; |
23 | prescribing its powers, functions and duties; providing for |
24 | the appointment of an executive director and other personnel, |
25 | and making an appropriation." |
26 | Section 49.1 of the act of January 10, 1968 (1967, |
27 | P.L.925, No.417), referred to as the Legislative Officers and |
28 | Employes Law. |
29 | Act of January 19, 1968 (1967 P.L.1022, No.448), entitled |
30 | "An act creating a Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution |
|
1 | Control and Conservation Committee, providing for the terms |
2 | and appointment of members and for organization of the |
3 | committee and employment of personnel, providing for study of |
4 | air and water pollution laws and their enforcement, providing |
5 | for information and assistance from other agencies of |
6 | government, and making an appropriation." |
7 | Act of December 10, 1968 (P.L.1158, No.365), entitled "An |
8 | act creating and establishing the Legislative Data Processing |
9 | Committee: providing for its membership; prescribing its |
10 | powers, functions and duties; and making an appropriation." |
11 | Act of December 20, 1982 (P.L. 1442, No.327), entitled |
12 | "An act providing for the historic preservation of the State |
13 | Capitol Building, establishing a Capitol Preservation |
14 | Committee and establishing the Capitol Restoration Trust |
15 | Fund." |
16 | Sections 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306 of the act of |
17 | June 30, 1987 (P.L.163, No.16), known as the Rural |
18 | Pennsylvania Revitalization Act. |
19 | Section 14. The following apply: |
20 | (1) The addition of 46 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53 is a continuation |
21 | of the act of May 7, 1923 (P.L.158, No.119). |
22 | (2) The addition of 46 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 is a continuation |
23 | of the act of December 10, 1968 (P.L.1158, No.365). |
24 | (3) The addition of 46 Pa.C.S. Ch. 57 is a continuation |
25 | of the act of December 20, 1982 (P.L. 1442, No.327). |
26 | (4) The addition of 46 Pa.C.S. Ch. 59 is a continuation |
27 | of 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 2151.1, 2151.2, 2152, 2153, 2154, 2154.1, |
28 | 2154.2, 2154.3, 2154.4, 2154.5, 2154.6, 2154.7 and 2155. |
29 | (5) The addition of 46 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 is intended to |
30 | preserve the nature and extent of the legislative services |
|
1 | provided by the Local Government Commission, the Joint State |
2 | Government Commission, the Legislative Budget and Finance |
3 | Committee, the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution |
4 | Control and Conservation Committee, the Legislative Office of |
5 | Research Liaison and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. |
6 | Section 15. This act shall be implemented as follows: |
7 | (1) Implementation of the provisions of this act shall |
8 | begin immediately and shall be fully completed on or before |
9 | July 1, 2012. |
10 | (2) The President pro tempore of the Senate, the |
11 | Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of |
12 | Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of |
13 | Representatives shall each designate any member of the Senate |
14 | or House of Representatives, respectively, to serve on a |
15 | transition committee. The transition committee shall |
16 | implement the provisions of this act relating to the |
17 | consolidation of the Local Government Commission, the Joint |
18 | State Government Commission, the Legislative Budget and |
19 | Finance Committee, the Joint Legislative Air and Water |
20 | Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, the Legislative |
21 | Office of Research Liaison and the Center for Rural |
22 | Pennsylvania into the Pennsylvania Office for Research and |
23 | Public Policy. |
24 | (3) The transition committee shall select an individual |
25 | to serve as interim executive director of the Pennsylvania |
26 | Office for Research and Public Policy during the transitional |
27 | period and until the election required by 46 Pa.C.S. § 6103 |
28 | takes place. Notwithstanding the provisions of 46 Pa.C.S. § |
29 | 6103, the initial election of an executive director shall |
30 | take place on or before July 1, 2012. |
|
1 | Section 16. The following transitional provisions apply: |
2 | (1) All personnel, allocations, appropriations, |
3 | equipment, files, records, contracts, agreements, obligations |
4 | and other materials which are used, employed or expended by |
5 | the Local Government Commission, the Joint State Government |
6 | Commission, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, the |
7 | Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and |
8 | Conservation Committee, the Legislative Office of Research |
9 | Liaison and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania are transferred |
10 | to the Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy in |
11 | the first instance and as if these contracts, agreements and |
12 | obligations had been incurred or entered into by the |
13 | Pennsylvania Office for Research and Public Policy. |
14 | (2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), any |
15 | project, study or investigation pursuant to a statute enacted |
16 | within six years preceding the effective date of this |
17 | section, a resolution adopted by the General Assembly or a |
18 | resolution adopted by the Senate or the House of |
19 | Representatives regarding the Local Government Commission, |
20 | the Joint State Government Commission, the Legislative Budget |
21 | and Finance Committee, the Joint Legislative Air and Water |
22 | Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, the Legislative |
23 | Office of Research Liaison and the Center for Rural |
24 | Pennsylvania is transferred to the Pennsylvania Office of |
25 | Research and Public Policy. |
26 | (3) Any project, study or investigation regarding the |
27 | Joint State Government Commission pursuant to the act of |
28 | March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School |
29 | Code of 1949, or section 20 of the act of June 28, 1947 |
30 | (P.L.1110, No.476), known as the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance |
|
1 | Act, is transferred to the Pennsylvania Office of Research |
2 | and Public Policy. |
3 | Section 17. The personnel, appropriations, equipment and |
4 | other items and materials transferred by this act shall include |
5 | an appropriate portion of the general administrative, overhead |
6 | and supporting personnel, appropriations, equipment and other |
7 | material of the Local Government Commission, the Joint State |
8 | Government Commission, the Legislative Budget and Finance |
9 | Committee, the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control |
10 | and Conservation Committee, the Legislative Office of Research |
11 | Liaison and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and shall also |
12 | include, where applicable, Federal grants and funds and other |
13 | benefits from any Federal program. |
14 | Section 18. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011, or |
15 | immediately, whichever is later. |
|