Posted: | June 5, 2014 09:40 AM |
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From: | Representative Rob W. Kauffman |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Endangering a Child |
Section 4304 of the Crimes Code establishes the crime of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (EWOC). Currently, the grading of the offense makes no distinction between an offender who places a very young child at risk versus an older child, or the degree of harm that could have resulted from the conduct. It simply prohibits a parent or guardian, or person supervising the welfare of a child under 18 years of age, from placing a child at risk of harm, grading it as a misdemeanor of the third degree unless part of a course of conduct in which case it is a felony of the third degree. I have drafted and will soon introduce legislation which will reflect the degree of risk and the age of the child victim in the grading. EWOC would constitute a felony of the third degree if the conduct placed the child at risk of death or serious bodily injury, and a felony of the second degree if it was part of a continuous course of conduct. Also, the grading would be increased one level if the child is under the age of 6 years old. I believe this legislation is an important step that will help us better protect the most vulnerable children from the most serious forms of harm. Please consider joining me in cosponsorship of this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2411