Protecting Children and Animals in Hot Cars
As temperatures begin to rise outside, the heat in your vehicle can quickly reach levels that can be deadly for children and pets locked inside.
House Bill 279, which was passed by the House earlier this month, would provide civil immunity for any damage that may be done to a vehicle when forceful entry is necessary to rescue a child.
Last year, the Legislature enacted Act 104 of 2018, which provides civil immunity to law enforcement, animal control and humane officers and emergency responders who enter a car to save an animal that was left behind.
The civil protections in Act 104 do not extend to civilians attempting to break into a car to rescue an animal.
For the safety of your pets, it is best to leave them at home in hot weather.
For the safety and well-being of your children, they should not be left unattended in a vehicle regardless of weather.
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Safely Dispose of Unused Prescriptions This Saturday
Residents have an opportunity to remove opioids and other unused medicines from homes this Saturday, April 27, as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
More than 18 tons of prescription drugs were disposed of across Pennsylvania in the Prescription Drug Take Back Day held last October. The initiative helps prevent unused medications ending up in the wrong hands.
Locations to safely dispose of unused drugs are listed here.
You can also find permanent disposal boxes in your community by clicking here.
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Share the Road
As the weather continues to warm up, more and more Pennsylvanians will ride their bicycles on the roads.
Both motorists and bicyclists can work together to ensure everyone shares the road and gets home safely.
Motorists and bicyclists have the right to use the roads in Pennsylvania and should work to maintain a 4-foot barrier between each other when passing.
Motorists are allowed to overtake a bicycle in a no-passing zone, provided they leave a 4-foot clearance.
You can learn more about Pennsylvania’s bicycle laws here.
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April is Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. An estimated 30,000 Pennsylvanians live with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
To help families, providers and those with autism access services that meet their needs, Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Autism Services maintains a comprehensive online resource at PAautism.org.
The website connects people with autism and their supporters with autism resources and a community to help improve their lives.
The General Assembly further supports people with autism by dedicating funding to autism intervention and services in the annual state budget. In the current 2018-19 budget, funding totals more than $31 million, an increase of $3.6 million over the previous fiscal year’s spending.
Learn more here.
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