Posted: | December 29, 2014 10:47 AM |
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From: | Representative Mauree Gingrich |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Self-Exclusion Violation |
In the near future, I will be reintroducing legislation to amend the Crimes Code (Title 18) to add a new subsection providing for an evaluation for a gambling disorder. This new section will provide the court with an additional sentencing provision when a person is convicted of trespass resulting from a violation of the self-exclusion list established by the PA Gaming Control Board under the Gaming Act (Title 4) or a PA casino’s self-exclusion list. The additional sentencing option provides the court may direct the person to be evaluated in a manner deemed appropriate by the court to determine if the person has a gambling disorder and whether there is a need for counseling or treatment as part of the sentence or preadjudication disposition. The self-exclusion list was created in the Gaming Act for individuals to self-exclude themselves from the gaming facilities in the Commonwealth. As of August 1, 2014, there have been 7,152 requests to be placed on the Gaming Board’s list. Once placed on the list, if the person enters a casino they can be charged with trespass. There have been 1,565 known violations of the self-exclusion list. I believe this legislation is important to get these individuals the help they need to not violate the self-exclusion list. Please join in cosponsoring this legislation. Thank you! |
Introduced as HB322