Mar. 19, 2019
House overwhelmingly passes bill stripping public benefits from felons
HARRISBURG- Citing work by House Republican members over the last three sessions, House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) applauded the House passage of legislation to strengthen the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act, ensuring public employees convicted of a job-related crime will not receive taxpayer-funded pensions.
“When lawmakers or other public employees commit crimes, they should never receive the benefit of taxpayer-funded retirements. Public officials and employees should be held to the highest standard and face the financial penalty for breaking the public trust.” Cutler said.
Cutler and many of his fellow Republican House members have worked diligently on this issue, passing similar legislation over the last three sessions.
Senate Bill 113 amends the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act to close a loophole by adding any offense graded as a felony, or that which is punishable by more than five years in prison, to the list of offenses requiring pension forfeiture. It also ensures benefits will be forfeited as soon as a plea of guilty or no contest is entered, or when a finding of guilt occurs.
The bill was amended by the House Judiciary Committee, so it now returns to the Senate for concurrence.
Representative Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Straub
717-260-6397
mstraub@pahousegop.com
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