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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 13, 2013 11:49 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Chris Sainato |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Allowing PTSD to be considered by judges when determining a criminal sentence |
| MEMORANDUM DATE: March 13, 2013 TO: All House Members FROM: Representative Chris Sainato, Democratic Chairman Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee SUBJECT: Reintroduction of HB 22 of 2011-2012: Allowing PTSD to be considered by judges when determining a criminal sentence ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ In the near future, I plan on re-introducing House Bill 22 of the 2011-2012 Legislative Session, to allow post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, to be considered by judges when determining a criminal sentence. Pennsylvania has one of the largest veteran populations in the country with more than one million veterans residing in the Commonwealth. About one-fifth of these veterans likely suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, with an equal number who suffer from traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, many tend to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol and end up involved in the criminal justice system. This is a sad situation and is happening far too often. For counties that do not have Veteran’s Courts, which are designed to assist a former service member by providing a treatment program, allowing a PTSD diagnosis to be considered, specifically in any sentencing where applicable, will serve as a tool judges can use to assist these individuals on their path toward recovery. Please join me on this important legislation. |