Ongoing, as authorized by the Public School Code of 1949, Section 2002-D. Commonly known as the Stairs Report, the 2014 annual report was the 19th consecutive published by Joint State.

NOTE: This report was revised on February 12, 2014.

Ongoing as authorized by the Public School Code of 1949, Section 2017-A. This report is commonly known as the Snyder Report and the 2014 annual report was the 40th consecutive published by Joint State.

One Page Summary

Senate Resolution 6 of 2013 directed the Joint State Government Commission to appoint an Advisory Committee to conduct a thorough and comprehensive analysis of violent crime and mass shootings, as well as other topics related to those issues, including mental illness and treatment, firearms regulation, school security, bullying, gang-related activities, educational issues, and cultural influences, including violent video games.

One Page Summary

Summary –  Contents of Report

Staff Study of the Emergency Medical Services System in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

House Resolution 315 of 2012 directed the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a staff study of the administrative effectiveness of the emergency medical services system (EMS) in Pennsylvania.  Commission staff gathered information from a number of resources, including groups and individuals who represent the spectrum of responsibilities from top administrators to physicians to probationary EMTs.  Common themes were revealed.

Despite that the overall system is often characterized as dysfunctional, comments reflect an EMS delivery system that nonetheless manages to ensure Pennsylvania residents are provided with the best services available.  The primary concern of everyone involved is that necessary steps be taken to maintain and improve EMS’s effectiveness.

   Findings:

Dwindling government fiscal support for services leaves providers in a continual state of uncertainty and burdened to balance limited resources against core missions. The loosely organized system of regional councils allows for local control over local conditions; however leadership, communications, evaluations, and feedback between PADOH, councils, and providers lack clarity and direction.  Poor cooperation and communications between PADOH and PEMA lead to inefficiencies and confusion. Regional councils are contracted to inspect their own members. Regional councils appear to compete with their local providers for resources.

   Recommendations:

Available EMS grants should focus more closely on EMS; eligibility criteria should be standardized for all applicants. The State EMS Advisory Board should be reconstituted so as to resemble the structure of similar advisory bodies.  The State EMS Plan ought to be redrafted for clarity and purposes of strategic planning. PADOH needs to strengthen performance evaluation and feedback for providers with respect to the plan.  The number of regional councils ought to be reduced from 15, and single county councils ought to be merged.  Potential conflicts of interest must be addressed. Cooperation and collaboration within PADOH and with PEMA ought to be priority.

One Page Summary

Summary - Contents of Report

            This report contains proposed legislation that amends 35 Pa.C.S. and concerns disease control measures.

            The proposed legislation contains official comments, developed by the Joint State Government Commission and the Advisory Committee, which may be used in determining the intent of the General Assembly.

            Notes follow several statutory provisions and set forth explanatory material or background information regarding the current law.

            Transitional language -- provisions regarding applicability, repeals and the effective date of the proposed legislation -- follows the statutory recommendations.

This report also contains the following:

• A summary of the proposed legislation.
• A discussion of the proposed legislation.
• A source table for the proposed legislation.
• A disposition table that lists the location of the provisions of the DPCL that have been codified into 35 Pa.C.S.
• The DPCL.
• Health and safety regulations from Title 28 of the Pennsylvania Code.
• Select statutory and regulatory provisions, including those regarding The Administrative Code of 1929, the Local Health Administration Law, the seizure of certain clothing, the right to counsel, and the Public Defender Act.
• An appendix containing 2007 Senate Resolution No. 194.

One Page Summary

REPORT SUMMARY

THE PROBATE, ESTATES and FIDUCIARIES CODE and ORPHANS' COURT MATTERS

The Joint State Government Commission is pleased to present this report, The Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code and Orphans’ Court Matters: Legislation Recommended by the Advisory Committee on Decedents’ Estates Laws, 1945-2013, which provides a historical perspective regarding the work of the Advisory Committee.  Formed in 1945, the Advisory Committee has generated more than 40 reports that have served as the basis for legislation introduced during numerous legislative sessions of the General Assembly.

On behalf of the Joint State Government Commission, we thank the members of the Advisory Committee, as well as the members of the legislative Task Force on Decedents’ Estates Laws, for their dedication to improve Pennsylvania law regarding Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code) and related statutes.