PRINTER'S NO. 265
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
260
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, PICKETT, COHEN, MILLARD, CAUSER, D. COSTA,
SCHLOSSBERG, M. K. KELLER, KAUFFMAN, A. HARRIS, MAJOR, MURT,
GOODMAN, MARSICO, KORTZ, GINGRICH AND WATSON,
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015
AN ACT
Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and
immunities, providing for action for release of confidential
birth information.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 8315.1. Action for release of confidential birth information.
(a) General rule.--It shall be unlawful for any person who
requests information under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,
No.3) , known as the Right-to-Know Law, which contains a date of
birth, to publish, republish or disclose in any manner the date
of birth.
(b) Remedy.--Any individual whose date of birth has been
published, republished or disclosed in violation of subsection
(a) may bring a civil action in a court of competent
jurisdiction and the court may award damages as follows:
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(1) Actual damages arising from the publication,
republication or disclosure or $500, whichever is greater.
Damages include loss of money, reputation or property,
whether real or personal. The court may, in its discretion,
award up to three times the actual damages sustained, but not
less than $500.
(2) Reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
(3) Additional relief the court deems necessary and
proper.
(c) Exception.--The provisions of this section shall not
apply to a date of birth which is obtained independently of a
request under the Right-to-Know Law.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20150HB0260PN0265 - 2 -
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