A REPORT ON THE SENATE'S LEGISLATIVE WEEK OF MAY 9TH MANDATE RELIEF BILLS RECEIVE SENATE SUPPORT.

HARRISBURG, PA -- The following information was released by the Pennsylvania State Senate, State Senator Jane Orie (R):

Many concerns expressed by local school officials involve state mandates. In response to those concerns, Senate Republicans introduced a legislative package earlier this year intended to relieve schools of costly, onerous and outdated state mandates. Four of those bills were approved by the full Senate this week:

Senate Bill 612 would allow school districts to furlough teachers based on economic reasons to control costs. Currently, if a school district faces a budget shortfall, it would have to eliminate an entire program, rather than furlough a teacher. Teacher seniority would be respected.

Senate Bill 857 would repeal an obsolete mandate requiring schools to use increases in basic education funding for new programs or expanding existing programs.

Senate Bill 858 would give school districts the option of hiring certificated superintendents (current law) or candidates with a graduate degree in business or finance. The legislation would allow districts to choose from a deeper pool of candidates to find the best person to oversee the education of students and manage the district's finances.

Senate Bill 872 would give school districts more flexibility to determine policies for students participating in dual enrollment programs, where high school students earn credit for college courses. SB 872 removes a requirement for school districts to establish a concurrent enrollment committee and relaxes some state mandates for schools. The legislation would require the school district to work with colleges to develop a mutual agreement on concurrent course selection.

Senate Approves "Safe Schools" Legislation

On Monday, the Senate passed a school safety measure that would establish tougher school hiring policies. Senate Bill 224 would establish a lifetime employment ban for those who have been convicted of serious violent offenses, including sexual violence and crimes against children. The bill would also prohibit anyone convicted of any other felony crime from working in a school setting for at least ten years.

Senate Approves Bill Banning Synthetic Drugs

Recently, we've heard disturbing reports of an evolving trend in our communities involving the use of synthetic drugs, commonly known as "bath salts." Bath salts and synthetic marijuana mimic the effects of powerful drugs and many of these drugs are available over the Internet or from local shops. These drugs are extremely dangerous. On Tuesday, the Senate passed legislation to ban these substances.

Senate Bill 1006 adds Salvia Divinorum, Salvinorin A, Divinorin A, synthetic marijuana, and synthetic cocaine/heroin to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Salvia Divinorum has been shown to be a powerful hallucinogen. SB 1006 treats these substances the same as other Schedule I Controlled Substances and carries the same penalties as other non-narcotic Schedule I offenses.