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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 3, 2019 03:44 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kathy L. Rapp |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Firefighter Service Prohibition - Sexual Assault Convictions (Prior House Bill 2220) |
| I plan to reintroduce legislation in the near future that will prohibit persons convicted of sexual offenses from serving as firefighters in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Similar to the arson conviction prohibition, firefighters would be required to submit to a background check or a signed statement of nonconviction. As you may be aware, a Pennsylvania town re-elected a registered sex offender as its fire chief in 2018. After his status as a sex offender came to light, he voluntarily resigned from the position. Under current law it is up to each individual community to decide whether to allow sex offenders who have completed their sentences to serve in an office at the local level. Firefighters are an invaluable and integral part of our community. They are in positions of trust and authority, regularly interacting with children, seniors, and families who are vulnerable. This legislation goes a long way to ensuring that fire departments have all the tools they need to protect the community as well as the department. I ask that you please consider cosponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB133