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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 21, 2016 10:07 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Scott Conklin |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Permitting Electronic GPS Monitoring in Domestic Violence Cases (former HB570) |
| In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation – House Bill 570 – to amend Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to grant courts the authority to require GPS electronic monitoring of an alleged abuser in domestic abuse cases while a protection from abuse (PFA) order is in effect. Four years ago, my long-time family friend, Traci Ann Raymond Miscavish, was murdered by her estranged husband. Disguising himself in a trench coat and wig, all the while concealing a loaded shotgun, Mr. Miscavish stalked Traci outside of her place of employment until she arrived for work. Upon noticing Mr. Miscavish, Traci ran and hid in a back office with a fellow co-worker. Mr. Miscavish kicked in the door and shot Traci twice in the chest before mortally wounding himself. Prior to her death, Traci expressed her fear of her estranged husband and was extremely troubled by his repeated threats to murder her. I believe that if Mr. Miscavish had been ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device when the PFA order became final on February 5, 2013, Traci may be alive today. It is long overdue for Pennsylvania to join the following states that already permit electronic monitoring devices in the cases of domestic violence: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington. Let this tragic event serve as a call to action. I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Previous Cosponsors: SANKEY, BARBIN, V. BROWN, BROWNLEE, COHEN, D. COSTA, DAVIDSON, DeLUCA, KOTIK, MAHONEY, McNEILL, MURT, O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, READSHAW, ROZZI, THOMAS AND WATSON |
Introduced as HB2015