Rendell signs 10 bills into law

As the Pennsylvania Legislature winds down its 2008 fall session, a few bills are making their way to Gov. Ed Rendell’s desk.

The governor’s office announced today that Rendell signed the following bills into law:

Senate Bill 1023 amends the Acupuncture Registration Law to require that acupuncturists be licensed by the commonwealth. Current law requires them to be registered.

Senate Bill 1376 repeals legislation that incorporated York Academy and allows the academy's assets to be transferred to York College.

Senate Bill 684 establishes the Public Health Child Death Review Act and requires the Department of Health to examine child deaths using state and local multi-agency, multidisciplinary teams and, thereby, reducing the number of child deaths in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 884 amends Title 53 by requiring that when enacting an ordinance, regulation or plan regarding the placement of antennas or antennas support structures, a municipality must accommodate amateur radio service communications.

Senate Bill 908 amends the Auctioneer and Auction Licensing Act to require "trading assistants" (people who sell, for a fee or commission, someone's personal property through an online internet bidding platform) to register with the State Board of Auctioneer Examiners.

Senate Bill 1019 gives the State Board of Vehicles the authority to discipline out-of-state RV dealers for violating Pennsylvania law. It also requires all RV dealers to post a $30,000 bond with the board if they haven't already posted a bond with PennDOT.

Senate Bill 1093 amends the Municipal Police Pension Law to close an unintended gap in certain survivor benefit coverage by extending benefits to surviving spouses of police officers who retired before the effective date of the act, but then died.

Senate Bill 1225 provides that all political subdivisions, not including school districts, are to be part of a statewide system of mutual aid, whereby localities suffering from disasters could request assistance from neighboring municipalities. Political subdivisions are to be a part of the system unless they opt out and provide notice to PEMA. Political subdivisions may be reimbursed for rendering aid under the system. The new law also establishes an Intrastate Mutual Aid Committee of state and local emergency management professionals. The panel will review the status of the system, assist in its implementation, and develop guidelines and other procedures for participating political subdivisions to follow.

Senate Bill 1308 authorizes the transfer of the Kate Smith tract of the Ingham Springs property (owned by the Fish and Boat Commission) to Solebury Township, Bucks County.

Senate Bill 1503 directs the repair of 411 bridges under Governor Rendell's accelerated bridge program.