Governor Rendell Signs Legislation

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed into law the following bills:

House Bill 47:  Establishes the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Education and Prevention Program Act.  Under the bill, the Department of Health is to develop a program to promote SIDS and SUDI, or Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, awareness and education and distribute educational materials on SIDS and SUDI to hospitals and birth centers. The materials are to be provided to parents before discharge from a hospital or birth center. Hospitals and birth centers are to keep on file a copy of a statement signed by the parent acknowledging receipt of the SIDS and SUDI educational materials.

House Bill 727:  Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes related to trademark counterfeiting. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently found Pennsylvania's trademark counterfeiting statute to be overbroad; therefore this bill redefines trademark counterfeiting more narrowly. The bill also provides for a process for seizure by law enforcement of any property obtained as a result of trademark counterfeiting.

House Bill 1515:  Amends the First Class Township Code to require applicants for police force positions in first class townships to undergo a physical fitness exam. The bill also establishes a ranking system for applicants and authorizes the use of eligibility lists. Once selected from the list for employment, an applicant is to receive a conditional offer of employment, pending verification of physical and psychological fitness.

House Bill 1516:  Requires applicants for fire department positions in cities of the third class to undergo a physical fitness exam. Subject to certain exceptions, the applicants must be between 18 and 35 years of age. The bill also establishes a ranking system for applicants and authorizes the use of eligibility lists. Once selected from the list for employment, an applicant is to receive a conditional offer of employment, pending verification of physical and psychological fitness.

House Bill 1517:  Provides that applicants for civil service positions in third class cities shall undergo physical and psychological examinations as a condition of permanent employment and also authorizes the use of eligibility lists.

House Bill 1518:  Requires applicants for civil service positions in first class townships and boroughs to undergo physical and psychological exams as a condition of permanent employment and authorizes the use of eligibility lists.

House Bill 1799:  Names two interchanges and three bridges in Washington, Clearfield, Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties.

House Bill 2212:  Amends the "Mobile Home Park Rights Act" by renaming it the "Manufactured Home Community Rights Act" and makes conforming and technical amendments throughout the act. The bill provides that a person who leases space in  a manufactured home community shall be provided with a written copy of the rules and regulations of the park and clarifies that leases for such space shall be in writing and shall be for a time period of one month unless a longer period is mutually agreed upon. Under the bill, disclosure of all fees payable to the community owner prior to leasing the property is required and provides notice requirements.  

House Bill 2246:  Honors a fallen Adams County police officer by increasing penalties for motorists who recklessly or with gross negligence cause an accident that results in the death of an emergency responder who is acting in an official capacity. The bill was introduced to honor Sgt. Michael C. Weigand, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2008 while escorting a benefit ride. Weigand was an officer with the Eastern Adams Regional Police Department and the Latimore Township Police Department.

House Bill 2291: Contains the itemization of capital projects for public improvement, furniture and equipment, transportation assistance, redevelopment assistance, flood control to be financed by the incurring of debt by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The itemization also includes projects to be funded by current revenues of the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the State ATV/Snowmobile Fund, the State Transportation Enhancement Fund, the State Stores Fund, and the General Fund. Included in the bill are projects listed in the Governor's Executive Budgets for 2009-10 and 2010-11.

House Bill 2375:  Prevents contracts for transportation of goods by a motor carrier from indemnifying for a loss due to an intentional, reckless or negligent act or omission by the promisee.

For more information on specific bills, visit www.legis.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Gary Tuma, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor