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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski |
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Pashinski to introduce stronger anti-crime bill
regulating sales of prepaid cell phones
HARRISBURG, Feb. 29 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, plans to introduce a new version of anti-crime legislation that would better monitor sales and keep a registry of people purchasing prepaid cellular telephones with cash in Pennsylvania.
Last year, Pashinski and state Rep. Jay Moyer introduced legislation (H.B. 1371) regulating the sale of prepaid cell phones. Like that bill, the new legislation would require people to provide two forms of identification when they purchase three or more prepaid cell phones or when they purchase a pre-paid cell phone with cash. The bill would also require retail stores to maintain the information and provide it to state police on a quarterly basis.
In addition, the new version of the bill would require retailers to treat the purchase of prepaid cell phones using gift cards, gift certificates or debit cards not linked to bank deposit accounts as cash transactions. Pashinski said the additional language was based on proposals made by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, which supports the legislation.
"While cell phones are a convenience to all of us, criminals have found prepaid cell phones to be invaluable because they can purchase these phones with cash and are virtually untraceable," Pashinski said. "This legislation does not limit people's ability to purchase prepaid cell phones, but it does recognize the fact that they are often used by criminals and will help the police better monitor and prevent criminal activity."
The bill calls for a fine of up to $1,000 for retailers that violate the identification and reporting requirements of the legislation, or for people who purchase prepaid phones using false identification.
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