The Pennsylvania General Assembly Finished Its Session by Passing Several Major Bills

           The majority-Republican Pennsylvania General Assembly completed its legislative session earlier this month by approving several major bills, some of which have already by signed into law.

            Comprehensive, bipartisan-supported welfare reform was overwhelmingly approved by the majority-Republican Pennsylvania General Assembly.  The bill makes drug felons ineligible for state welfare for ten years. Welfare cards will no longer be usable at casinos or sex businesses.  Lottery winnings over $600 will be counted as income for determining eligibility.  Vehicle ownership would also be a factor in calculating eligibility, the first time assets will be counted.  Liberal Democratic Governor Tom Wolf has not said whether he would sign the bill.  He recently vetoed another welfare reform bill requiring recipients to work a minimal number of hours or attend job training, after having vetoed a similar work-requirement bill last year.   

An anti-hazing bill was passed.  A comprehensive bill to address the opioid crisis was approved, in addition to the major bipartisan federal bill that was approved by the Republican-led Congress and signed into law. 

A comprehensive bill on organ donation was passed.  It prevents interference with criminal investigations.  The act grants those with the power of attorney decision-making authority, but balanced by the establishment of a procedure to determine better a dying person’s intent.  It also increases the amount on drivers license and vehicle registration applications one may donate.

A bill to increase penalties for repeat drunken drivers was approved.  

The anti-hazing, opioid, organ donation and drunken driving bills were all signed into law.