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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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House Majority Policy Committee |
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House Democrats work to reduce violence and protect public health
HARRISBURG, March 19 – House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, was joined by members of the Policy Committee’s Task Force on Violence and Public Health to unveil a comprehensive package of legislation designed to stop crime before it starts and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods across the Commonwealth.
“We formed this task force to investigate the direct connection between public health and violence and crime, holding hearings across the state that brought together law enforcement, community advocates and regular folks to talk about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to making our state a safer place to live, work and raise a family,” Eachus said. “The legislation that we’re discussing here today came about because of those hearings and the invaluable input of the people on the front lines of protecting our residents, and I’m confident these bills will move quickly through the Legislature.”
The
lawmakers were joined by representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police and
the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence to announce the
introduction of the following proposals:
· Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, will introduce House Bill 2370 – a bill to hamper drug dealers’ ability to communicate by requiring the registration of individuals who purchase pre-paid cell phones with cash, gift cards, or a debit card not linked to a numbered account. The bill also would require anyone who buys more than three pre-paid phones to register.
· Pashinski also will introduce H.B. 2371 -- a bill that would require people convicted of graffiti to perform community service by restoring or repairing the damaged property, plus pay a fine that includes the actual damage caused.
· Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, will introduce H.B. 2372 -- a bill to give police departments more power to crack down on gangs by making membership in a criminal street gang a criminal offense, create a fund to help counties battle gangs and allow district attorneys to seize gang assets.
· Rep. Jim Casorio, D-Westmoreland, will introduce H.B. 2373 – a bill to address crime at the root cause by requiring school districts to create a prevention program to reduce and stop bullying.
The package of legislation also includes aggressive measures to help stop domestic violence, with special emphasis on education and sharply increased penalties for repeat offenders. The measures are being sponsored by Rep. Tony Payton, D-Phila., and Rep. Deb Kula, Fayette/Westmoreland, and Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., and Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny.
“Violence in the home, especially when children are involved, directly leads to crime and health issues that impact all of us, so these bills are vital toward solving the problem,” Eachus said. “From teaching children and health professionals what to do when confronted with evidence of domestic violence to cracking down hard on the criminals and cowards who commit domestic violence crimes, this legislation will hopefully help make domestic violence a thing of the past.”
The legislation will be formally introduced this week and referred to committee for hearings and public input.
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