Commonwealth.
"Disadvantaged business." A minority-owned business or
women-owned business with less than 100 employees that has been
certified as a disadvantaged business by a third-party
certifying organization.
"Third-party certifying organization." An organization that
certifies a business as a minority-owned business or women-owned
business as authorized by the department.
Section 3. Fee exemption.
(a) Fee exemption.--A disadvantaged business shall be exempt
from the payment of business fees.
(b) Proof of status.--In order to be eligible for the fee
exemption under subsection (a), a disadvantaged business must
provide the department or the licensing authority of a political
subdivision to which the owner is applying with proof of the
business's status as a disadvantaged business by providing
certification from a third-party certification organization.
(c) Status.--The Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small
Business Opportunities of the department, in consultation with
other Commonwealth agencies, shall determine an applicant's
eligibility under subsection (a) for exemption from Commonwealth
agency fees.
(d) Offenses.--The following shall apply:
(1) A person who fraudulently obtains a business fee
exemption commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(2) A person who assigns, transfers or attempts to
assign or transfer a business fee exemption or uses or
attempts to use a business fee exemption contrary to this act
commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(e) Reporting.--The department, in consultation with other
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