PA Capitol Digest Blog

March 3, 2014

PA Courts Issue New Rules For Courts Under Americans With Disabilities Act

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court Monday issued new rules to standardize the practice of the state’s courts relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The rules are aimed at promoting uniformity and ensuring access to the Unified Judicial System's services, programs and facilities without restriction based on a disability. The rules apply to all courts in the Commonwealth as well as Supreme Court boards and committees and other court-related entities.

Though Pennsylvania’s judiciary already has programs in place to eliminate obstacles and provide reasonable accommodations, the new rules direct all entities to formalize their ADA policies, forms and procedures consistent with the sample documents appended to the rules. This will ensure uniformity of policy and practice statewide.

Final policies and procedures must be filed with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and will be posted in court facilities and on each entity’s webpages on the Unified Judicial System website.

The court order is effective March 3.

“Pennsylvania’s judiciary has always been committed to all aspects of access to justice, including a commitment to the ADA, making sure that every citizen has equal access to courtrooms and related facilities,” said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille. “These rules will help to ensure our courts’ policies are consistent with all ADA requirements.”

The rules were issued under Rules of Judicial Administration Nos. 250 – 252 and are a reaffirmation of the Unified Judicial System’s commitment to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

LCB Modifies Pricing Regulations To Benefit Pennsylvania Wineries

To ensure consumers have access to the best Pennsylvania wines, the Liquor Control Board Monday announced a regulatory change eliminating the requirement that a licensed Limited Winery cannot sell wine at the winery for less than that same wine sells at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores.

“Previously, Pennsylvania wineries had to sell their wine to the LCB for a significant discount to account for the agency’s markup and liquor tax,” said Joseph E. Brion, PLCB chairman. “We believe that requirement impacted what wine our in-state wineries sold to us. It is our hope the change will encourage wineries to expand their selection in our stores to benefit consumers and the industry as a whole.”

Currently, the Liquor Control Board sells more than 100 Pennsylvania wines in its listed and luxury product divisions. In addition, in July 2013, the agency launched the PA Preferred program, adding 43 new Pennsylvania wines to a select number of Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores across the commonwealth.

Under the program, PA Preferred wineries are allowed to submit up to 10 wines to sell at up to 10 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores of their choosing. There are 12 wineries participating in the program.

According to the Pennsylvania Winery Association, the Commonwealth has more than 150 wineries, infusing more than $2 billion into the economy.

“Providing consumers with a wide variety of good, quality wines is something that we strive to achieve,” said Robert S. Marcus, LCB member. “Now more than ever, consumers want to buy local, and we want to give them that option when they come into our stores.”

“The regulatory change was a small but important step for Pennsylvania wineries,” said Tim Holden, LCB board member. “We will continue to look for ways to promote our in-state wineries, understanding that the wine industry is a very important business with significant economic impact on the state and local economies.”

The regulatory change took effect March 1.

State Offices Delay Opening

State agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction in Harrisburg will open 2 hours later due to winter weather. DEP Norristown Regional Office will open at 10:30 due to winter weather.