Aug. 12, 2021 / Press Release
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Working to Ensure Justice for Child Victims
A new state law will help ensure justice is served in cases where children are victimized.
Act 29 of 2021 amends the state’s Tender Years Hearsay Act, which permits the introduction of hearsay statements concerning violent or sexual offenses against children. Under prior law, a victim had to be age 12 or younger to enable hearsay statements in the case. The new law increases the maximum age to 16, meaning hearsay statements may be presented from child victims age 16 and under. Allowing the statements would remain at the judge’s discretion.
Securing justice in these cases is especially challenging because of the extreme difficulty child victims face in having to testify about their trauma in front of a courtroom. But securing justice is so important, not only for the child victims but also to protect other potential victims from a similar fate.
The law will take effect in late August.
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Statewide Job Training Program to Launch
A free, online job training program, SkillUp PA, will launch statewide Aug. 14 to help Pennsylvania job seekers gain the new skills they need to join the workforce or advance their career.
As part of L&I’s initiative to transform the workforce landscape, PA CareerLink is bolstering its program offerings with SkillUp PA and the new program’s enhanced virtual options to support reskilling and upskilling Pennsylvania’s workforce.
Below are some of the online trainings that will be available:
Accounting/Finance
Clerical
Customer Service
Human Resources
Information Technology (IT)
Marketing
Microsoft Office
Project Management
Soft skills (communication, time management, professionalism, etc.)
Pennsylvanians interested in SkillUp PA virtual training should visit PA CareerLink at pacareerlink.pa.gov for more information, including how to register.
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Call Before You Dig
Aug. 11 marked National 811 Day – a day dedicated to reminding residents, contractors and utility workers of the importance of calling 8-1-1 before digging to help ensure the safety of excavation projects across the state.
Every time an underground utility line is hit, there is a risk to the contractors or homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized to deal with the damage; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.
Learn more at
www.PA1call.com.
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National Night Out on Aug. 3 was a lot of fun. It is an annual event to link first responders with the communities they serve. The 106th District has dedicated, skilled and compassionate police and firefighters.
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It was my pleasure, along with Chairman Mike Pries of the Dauphin County Commissioners, and Christian Brightbill of State Senator Chris Gebhard’s office, to present the following Eagle Scouts with citations for achieving the highest honor in scouting: Christopher R. Hopstetter, James J. McInerney, and Jon Paul Katzenmoyer. What a wonderful event to honor these very deserving scouts who completed their eagle scout projects to better our communities.
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I was honored to receive the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award which was presented to me by Robert “Bullit” Martindill, Exalted Ruler for the Harrisburg BPO Elks Lodge #12. Bullit is also the EMA director in Hummelstown. I was privileged and humbled to receive such a great honor.
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I was extremely pleased to attend Marie Sunajko’s 90th birthday party and present her with a House citation in her honor! Many friends and family were in attendance including her great-great-grandson, Ethan.
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