The state House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill sponsored by state Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, to establish problem-solving courts in Pennsylvania.Orie's bill would statutorily authorize problem solving courts, such as mental health courts and drug courts, to divert non-violent offenders from more costly prison cells and encourage rehabilitation through extensive supervision."These courts reduce prison overcrowding," she said, "and improve cooperation between our criminal justice system and drug and alcohol and mental health systems."Orie said that specialized problem-solving courts are being used across the nation to save money and help offenders who have particular issues including drug addiction and mental health issues.Allegheny County has been recognized for the problem solving courts they have established, including the recent creation of a veterans' court.Orie said the average cost of building a new prison in Pennsylvania is $200 million and the cost of housing a prisoner can run as much as $30,000 a year.According to the Department of Justice, about 20 percent of the Pennsylvania prison population suffers from mental illness."So in many cases, we are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to incarcerate mentally ill patients or those with addictions who would benefit far more from treatment, medication and counseling," Orie said."That's why this legislation is so critical. Problem-solving courts that can specialize in these areas can ensure that offenders receive the most appropriate sentencing, supervision, rehabilitation and treatment."The bill must return to the Senate for final approval.—-——The state Senate last week approved legislation sponsored by Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, to help students of military families cope with the frequent and stressful relocations associated with active duty service.Robbins' Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children legislation, authorizes Pennsylvania to enter into the Interstate Compact as a way to make education more accessible to children of military families and make school transfers and transitions more uniform and less stressful."The average student of a military family faces transition challenges more than twice during high school and most military children will attend six to nine different school systems from kindergarten through graduation," he noted."The Compact provides a comprehensive approach to address the major areas of education that are affected such as the transferring of education records, course sequencing and graduation requirements."The Compact was developed and drafted by the Council of State Governments with the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Personnel and Readiness. Currently, 28 states have passed similar legislation.