The state Senate on Wednesday approved changes to legislation sponsored by Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, which seeks to improve public safety while providing more extensive supervision of non-violent offenders.Problem solving courts, which include mental health courts and drug courts, divert non-violent offenders from more costly prison cells and encourage rehabilitation through extensive supervision."As a former prosecutor and a strong advocate for improving our drug rehabilitation and mental health systems, I believe this legislation is crucial to helping those in need and to improving public safety," Orie said."These courts will reduce prison overcrowding and improve cooperation between our criminal justice system and drug and alcohol and mental health systems."Orie said that specialized problem-solving courts are used across the nation to save money and to help offenders who have particular issues including drug addiction and mental health issues.The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for a vote on concurrence.———The state Senate this week approved a measure creating a "high-risk pool" as an alternative for individuals with severe health conditions to get affordable health insurance, according to Sen.

Don White, R-41st.The chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, White said Pennsylvania must be proactive in enacting health care measures or potentially have that role usurped by the federal government.He said his legislation is a key part of the 15-bill Senate Republican HealthNET PA package of legislation to expand access and to improve the quality of health care for Pennsylvania's citizens.The measure would establish a board to be appointed by the governor and the General Assembly, which would include insurers, health care experts, the business community, and members of the general public.The Pennsylvania Health Insurance Pool Board would hire an administering insurer to manage the pool.