State Sen.

Don White, R-41st, Wednesday joined with a group of lawmakers and advocates to unveil a package of legislation that would overhaul Pennsylvania's methadone treatment laws to increase fiscal accountability and safety.The series of measures, which have White's backing, also seek to reduce the unlawful use of methadone and methadone poisoning deaths.The bills making up the Methadone Accountability Package include the follow:• Senate Bill 1293 — Requires reviews for all methadone-related deaths, and development of best practices to prevent future deaths.• Senate Bill 1294 — Creates the Methadone Addiction Prevention and Treatment Act, to provide for the safe use of methadone to treat heroin and other opiate addictions.• Senate Bill 1376 — Implements diversion control and dosing standards.• Senate Bill 1377 — Establishes clinic standards to prevent methadone-related highway accidents.• Senate Bill 1378 — Makes it a crime to drive under the influence of more than the prescribed dose of methadone.• Senate Bill 1382 — Requires a narcotic treatment plan with a one-year limit with an additional six months if progressing toward a full recovery.• Senate Bill 1383 — Requires individuals to receive methadone treatment at a clinic closest to their residence.———The state House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, which seeks to improve public safety while at the same time providing more extensive supervision of nonviolent offenders.Problem solving courts, which include mental health courts, drug courts and veterans courts, divert nonviolent offenders from more costly prison cells and encourage rehabilitation through extensive supervision."These courts will reduce prison overcrowding and improve cooperation between our criminal justice system and drug and alcohol and mental health systems," Orie said. "As a former prosecutor, I believe this legislation is crucial to helping those in need and to improving public safety."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.——-—District Judge

Peter Shaffer of Butler and Senior District Judge

Joseph O'Donnell were recertified as members of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System after completing their 2010 continuing legal education work.