The state Senate this past week approved a package of bills introduced by Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, to bring municipal law provisions governing prehiring examinations of emergency responders in cities, towns, townships, and boroughs into compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.The ADA, Robbins said, prohibits requiring a medical examination of all applicants before a conditional offer of employment. But, he added, the ADA does allow medical examinations and inquiries with certain conditions."A number of communities have already been subjected to litigation because of problems in the language of current state statutes," said Robbins, who is chairman of the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission, a bipartisan legislative service agency."My bills amend the police officers and firefighters civil service statutory provisions to ensure those laws are interpreted and applied by municipal officials in a manner that is in compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws."Robbins said his other measures would meet ADA requirements by:• Delineate a difference between prohibited preoffer "medical examinations" and permissible job-related "physical and agility tests" that may occur.• Define "medical examinations" in accordance with federal law, include "psychological medical examinations," and specify that medical examinations may not occur until a conditional offer of employment has been made.• Specify where in the process "medical examinations" may occur in relation to the written examination, when veteran's preference points are to be awarded.———State Sen.

Mary Jo White, R-21st, and state Rep.

Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, recently joined to promote legislation that would ensure school districts follow Title IX laws.Title IX regulations require schools that receive federal funds provide equal athletic opportunity for males and females.The proposed legislation would require the reporting of high school athletic data to the state Department of Education, which would be placed online.White said the measure would help the public better access publicly available information through the department 's Web site."The proposed legislation," she said, "would make it easy for a student athlete, parent or taxpayer to assess how well a school is meeting its legal obligation to provide equal opportunities for female students."White and Briggs discussed the proposal last week at an event at the state Capitol in recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an annual nationwide celebration honoring the achievements and encouraging the participation of girls and women in sports.