|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
CONTACT:
Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Sean Ramaley
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ramaley bill calling for criminal penalties for impersonating licensed professionals passes House
HARRISBURG, June 26 – Legislation authored by state Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver/Allegheny, that would impose criminal penalties on people who impersonate a licensed professional unanimously passed the state House today. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
“It is very serious, and potentially dangerous, when a person pretends to be someone you think you can trust, such as a counselor, a health-care practitioner, or an accountant,” Ramaley said.
“People seek guidance from licensed professionals, often involving sensitive personal, medical or financial information. They deserve to know the person with whom they are speaking is truly the holder of that license. Moreover, licensed professionals deserve to have their years of schooling and hard work in their field of expertise protected from devious individuals who prey on innocent consumers.”
The individual licensing statutes currently include an administrative process and varying penalties for impersonating licensed professionals. Ramaley’s bill (H.B. 1120) would enable local law enforcement to get involved as soon as there is concern that a crime has been committed, and it would standardize the penalties.
The bill would make impersonating a professional or occupational license holder a second-degree misdemeanor, carrying a maximum prison term of two years. An impersonator intending to defraud or harm someone could be charged with a third-degree felony, which would carry up to seven years in prison.
“This legislation would make it clear that Pennsylvania intends on protecting consumers from fraud, and protecting professionals from bad actors who ruin the reputation and integrity of legitimate professionals,” Ramaley said.
###kmb/2007/bt
l:\print\releases\professionallicensing.016