Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 24, 2023 02:30 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David M. Delloso |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Failure to Report a Dead Body (Formerly HB1911) |
| Across the United States, instances of individuals failing to report the death or discovery of a dead body to the proper authorities abound. In California, a woman lived with her deceased mother in her home for over a year, while a man in Frederick County, Virginia, continued to stay with his deceased grandfather months after his death. Continuing to allow this not only poses a health risk, but creates opportunities for fraudulent activity using the deceased’s benefits or other assets. While some states require all individuals to report the death or discovery of a body, others do not – including Pennsylvania. To address this, my legislation would make it a crime to fail to notify a 911 system, physician or other medical professional, law enforcement agency, or funeral home of a death or the discovery of a body unless the person reporting knows, or reasonably believes, that the death had previously been reported. While law enforcement and medical professionals are required to report in these instances, regular citizens are not legally obligated to do so. As legislators, we have a responsibility to ensure that all of our constituents, including those who have passed, are treated with respect and kept safe from fraud. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to preserve the dignity of those who pass away and deter the unjust use of their assets. (Former co-sponsors: CIRESI, SANCHEZ, McNEILL, SCHLEGEL CULVER and JOZWIAK) |
Introduced as HB1078