Mar. 16, 2021
HARRISBURG –Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, applauded House passage of a package of bills moved through the committee earlier this year that would enhance protections for child testifiers and strengthen penalties for criminals.
“This was an important package of legislation that passed the House Judiciary Committee in January,” said Kauffman. “These are all bills that will make a significant difference in public safety and the protection of child victims. I supported the passage of each of these measures and am hopeful the Senate acts quickly to get these to the governor’s desk before the summer break.”
Bills in the package include:
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House Bill 103 – Would create the offense of harassment of a law enforcement officer if a person intentionally causes or attempts to cause a law enforcement officer to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, saliva, urine or feces by throwing, tossing, spitting or expelling such fluid or material.
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House Bill 146 – Would preclude the paroling of an inmate at the expiration of his or her minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a “violent offense” or an “obstruction of justice offense” while incarcerated.
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House Bill 156 – Would amend the Tender Years Hearsay Act to permit the court to allow introduction of hearsay statements made by children 16 years of age or younger concerning violent or sexual offenses.
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House Bill 163 – Would increase the grading for a conviction of invasion of privacy if the offender is a teacher and the victim is a student or if the offender is an adult and the victim is a minor.
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House Bill 185 – Would provide that a person is guilty of aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, if he or she attempts to cause or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to a person with a physical disability, intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder.
“Like many legislative measures, most of these bills were drafted in response to actual crimes that have occurred in the Commonwealth,” said Kauffman. “Tougher laws and stronger penalties will help deter criminal behavior and ensure perpetrators are punished appropriately, thereby protecting the public and those who are charged with enforcing the laws.
Representative Rob Kauffman
89th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepKauffman.com