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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Roseann R. Cadau |
State Rep. Eddie
Pashinski |
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Pashinski introduces bill to develop registry for prepaid cell phones
HARRISBURG, May 29 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, has introduced legislation that would require retail stores in Pennsylvania to keep a registry of people purchasing prepaid cellular telephones.
Pashinski’s measure (H.B. 1371) would require people to provide two forms of identification when purchasing a prepaid cell phone, and require retail stores to maintain a database and provide a quarterly report to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Pashinski said prepaid cell phones are a convenient and less expensive option for many wireless phone customers, but the anonymity they provide also allows people to use them to commit crimes and evade law enforcement.
“Across the country, prepaid phones have been used in cases of terrorism, identity theft and by sexual predators,” Pashinski said. “My legislation would give law enforcement officials a trail back to the prepaid cell phone purchaser in cases of illegal drug activity. It is another tool to help police solve and possibly even deter crime.”
The Luzerne County lawmaker said acceptable forms of ID for purchasing a prepaid cell phone would include a driver’s license or identification card issued by the state, a U.S. Armed Forces ID card, or a passport or travel visa issued by a foreign country.
Violation of the measure would range from a summary offense with a $500 fine to a third-degree misdemeanor carrying a $1,000 fine.
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