PRINTER'S NO. 2334
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1696
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SANKEY, BERNSTINE, D. COSTA, GABLER, GILLEN,
A. HARRIS, PHILLIPS-HILL, HILL-EVANS, MILLARD, MUSTIO,
PICKETT, RYAN, WARD, WATSON AND WHEELAND, AUGUST 24, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, AUGUST 24, 2017
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for
contributions for sexual offense evidence testing and
establishing the Sexual Offense Evidence Testing Account.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 1321. Contributions for sexual offense evidence testing.
(a) General rule.--Within one year of the effective date of
this section, the department shall provide for all of the
following:
(1) The ability of a person renewing a driver's license
or identification card electronically through the
department's publicly accessible Internet website to make a
contribution for evidence testing.
(2) The ability of a person renewing a vehicle
registration electronically through the department's publicly
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accessible Internet website to make a contribution for
evidence testing.
(b) Implementation.--
(1) A contribution under subsection (a) shall be added,
as appropriate, to the regular fee for:
(i) An original or renewal driver's license or
identification card.
(ii) A renewal vehicle registration.
(2) One contribution under subsection (a) may be made
for:
(i) Each issuance or renewal of a driver's license
or identification card.
(ii) Each renewal vehicle registration.
(c) Use.--Contributions under subsection (a) shall be used
exclusively to assist the Pennsylvania State Police and other
law enforcement agencies in testing evidence collected in
relation to a sexual assault or other sexual offense at a crime
lab approved by the Pennsylvania State Police.
(d) Deposits.--
(1) The department shall determine on a monthly basis
the total amount collected under this section and shall
report the amount to the State Treasurer.
(2) The State Treasurer shall transfer the amount
reported under paragraph (1) from the General Fund to the
Sexual Offense Evidence Testing Account, which account is
established in the State Treasury. The money in the account
is appropriated on a continuing basis to the Pennsylvania
State Police and shall be used for evidence testing in sexual
assault and sexual offense investigations.
(e) Information.--
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(1) The department shall provide adequate information
concerning the contribution for testing evidence collected in
relation to a sexual assault or other sexual offense at a
crime lab in its instructions for applicants under subsection
(a). The information concerning the contribution shall
include the listing of an address furnished by the State
Treasurer to which contributions may be sent by individuals
wishing to make additional contributions.
(2) The Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney
General shall conduct a public information campaign on the
availability of this opportunity to Pennsylvania taxpayers.
(f) Reporting.--The Governor shall report annually to the
Judiciary Committee of the Senate and the Judiciary Committee of
the House of Representatives on the amount received from the
contributions authorized by this section and how the funds were
used.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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