House Passes Jozwiak Bill Strengthening Baby-Trafficking Penalties
HARRISBURG – The state House today in Harrisburg approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) that would increase penalties on people convicted of trafficking infants in Pennsylvania.
“Baby traffickers deserve harsher penalties than the ones currently on the books,” Jozwiak said. “This bill is about protecting babies and punishing criminals.”
Jozwiak’s
House Bill 185 would increase the penalty for buying, selling or trading an infant. The legislation defines an infant child as someone who is 1 year old or younger.
Criminals convicted of this activity currently face a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Under Jozwiak’s bill, they would face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Jozwiak’s legislation would increase the penalty from a first-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.
Jozwiak’s bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
“I encourage my colleagues in the state Senate to take swift action to consider this important bill,” Jozwiak said.
Residents can learn more about Jozwiak at
RepJozwiak.com and can follow him on Facebook at
Facebook.com/RepJozwiak.
Representative Barry Jozwiak
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepJozwiak.com /
Facebook.com/RepJozwiak