Posted: | December 1, 2016 10:01 AM |
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From: | Representative Jim Cox |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Neglect/Abuse of Care Dependent Persons |
In the near future, I am planning to reintroduce legislation amending Title 18 (Crimes Code) to further provide for the offense of neglect of a care-dependent person, and to create the offense of abuse of a care-dependent person. The language of the bill is intended to close a serious gap that exists in current law. Neglect of care-dependent person – Section 2713, Crimes Code Under current section 2713, a caretaker commits the offense of neglect of a care-dependent person if he:
Abuse of care-dependent person – new section 2713.1.Crimes Code This new offense would be triggered by the actions of the caretaker who intends to harass, annoy or alarm a care-dependent person by:
As you can see, this legislation is intended to address neglectful, abusive and harassing behavior on the part of caretakers towards care-dependent persons: behavior which may not otherwise be sufficiently punishable under current law. I think it is important that the Commonwealth continue to support and protect these individuals that cannot effectively care for themselves. This legislation passed the House last session UNANIMOUSLY (198-0) and also came out of the Senate Judiciary committee but was not passed by the Senate. Please join me in getting this bill across the finish line this session. PRIOR CO-SPONSORS: GINGRICH, BISHOP, KOTIK, GODSHALL, DAVIDSON, MILLARD, WATSON, SAYLOR, BOBACK, COHEN, DEASY, BAKER, KAUFFMAN, A. HARRIS, GOODMAN, PETRI, M. K. KELLER, DAVIS, FARRY, ROZZI, and MOUL. . |
Introduced as HB1124