After Veto Threat, Wolf Lets Bill Become Law, Signs 14 More

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf has allowed a bill he previously threatened to veto to become law without his signature despite "deep concerns" with the legislation.

Sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), HB 2463 requires state agencies to process Right To Know requests throughout declared disaster emergencies.

Under the new law, state agencies are to begin responding to Right To Know requests by following procedures established by the Office of Open Records, even if an agency has been forced to close its physical location.

Grove's law was drafted after complaints of a lack of transparency during the pandemic after some state agencies halted processing the requests due to the disaster declaration.

Under the bill, if an agency has been forced to close its physical location, it must follow procedures established by the Office of Open Records.

"These procedures will take into consideration the difficulties faced by commonwealth agencies due to COVID-19 and any potential future emergency declarations and establish fair policies for responding," Grove wrote in his House co-sponsorship memo.

Wolf, who called the bill "poorly drafted," had previously stated he planned to veto it due to staff safety concerns. But on Sunday, he announced he would allow it to become law.

He said he had "deep concerns with forcing commonwealth employees to physically come to an office to process records requests under dangerous conditions."

However, Wolf noted, the Office of Open Records recently provided "some assurance that they will draft guidelines to keep the commonwealth’s dedicated public servants safe."

Wolf said while he still has concerns about "the ill-conceived and poorly drafted legislation as it pertains to protections for critical security and infrastructure during an emergency, I am going to err on the side of transparency, as I have done throughout my term, and let this bill become law."

Wolf on Thursday also signed several bills into law, including HB 1459, which establishes a mental wellness and stress management program for emergency responders who experience post-traumatic stress injuries or traumatic brain injuries on the job.

“This COVID-19 emergency has been another reminder of how all of us depend on first responders during a crisis,” Wolf said. “First responders face traumatic situations on the job that can have lasting consequences and this new program gives them access to the help they need. It is the right thing to do and I’m proud to sign the legislation.”

Support for first responders under the bill includes peer-to-peer programs, training for peer support efforts, a toll-free helpline, statewide and regional stress management support, trauma and suicide awareness training, and support for nonprofit organizations offering the services.

The governor also signed into law:

HB 256, which strengthens state law to make an assault on a corrections employee at a local, county or state facility a felony of the second degree. It is a felony of the first degree if a weapon likely to cause serious injury is used. The bill also establishes a third-degree felony if a law enforcement officer or correctional facility employees engages in a sexual act with an inmate or detainee.

HB 943, which is intended to improve transparency and reduce prescription drug costs by ensuring that pharmacies and pharmacists may inform customers about lower priced alternatives, including generic medications. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy services administration organizations from restricting these discussions.

SB 836, which requires student athletes and parents to receive information each school year about sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram (EKG) testing to detect underlying heart conditions. The bill requires students and parents to sign an informational sheet before students participate in athletic activities.

HB 632, which expands the use of a secure power of attorney for the transfer of vehicles by licensed dealers and insurers including the use of electronic signature and extends the time period during which a limited power of attorney may be used for the sale, purchase or transfer of manufactured homes during a disaster emergency.

HB 672, which amends the act of February 13, 1970 (P.L. 19, No.10), entitled “An act enabling certain minors to consent to medical, dental and health services, declaring consent unnecessary under certain circumstance.” Specifically, the bill amends the provisions relating to consent for voluntary inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment for minors.

HB 732, which establishes a local resource manufacturing tax credit and exempts transfers of real estate to or by a volunteer EMS company, volunteer fire company or volunteer rescue company from real estate transfer tax.

HB 1437, which amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 concerning the City Revitalization and Improvement Zones program and the Rural Jobs and Investment tax credit program.

HB 2455, which requires the governor and Department of Health to submit information to the legislature about COVID-19 testing.

HB 2484, which increases the cap on the percentage of the value of assets held by or for an electing charity from 7 percent to 10 percent for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022. The bill adds a new provision regarding nonjudicial settlement agreements.

SB 320, which enacts the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act; providing for user direction and agreements, for disclosure of digital assets and electronic communications, for functions of fiduciaries and for compliance and immunity for custodians of digital assets and electronic communications; and making conforming amendments.

SB 927, which provides the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shall independently validate documentation of veteran status and immediately issue a driver’s license or identification card displaying veteran designation without submitting the documentation to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for review and approval.

SB 1125, which gives school districts the option during the 2020-21 school year to extend the real estate property tax discount period, waive penalties for late payments or both.

SB 1188, which provides for delegation of taxing powers and restrictions thereon and for tax limitations.