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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 7, 2016 09:59 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Rob W. Kauffman |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Endangering A Child - Former House Bill 74 |
| Section 4304 of the Crimes Code establishes the crime of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (EWOC). Currently, the grading of the offense makes no distinction between an offender who places a very young child at risk versus an older child, or the degree of harm that could have resulted from the conduct. It simply prohibits a parent or guardian, or person supervising the welfare of a child under 18 years of age, from placing a child at risk of harm, grading it as a misdemeanor of the third degree unless part of a course of conduct in which case it is a felony of the third degree. I will soon be re-introducing legislation which will reflect the degree of risk and the age of the child victim in the grading. EWOC would constitute a felony of the third degree if the conduct placed the child at risk of death or serious bodily injury, and a felony of the second degree if it was part of a continuous course of conduct. Also, the grading would be increased one level if the child is under the age of 6 years old. I believe this legislation is an important step that will help us better protect the most vulnerable children from the most serious forms of harm. Please consider joining me in co-sponsorship of this legislation. Previous Cosponsors: Bishop, Baker, Cohen, Stephens, Rapp, Watson, McNeill, Major, Murt, Millard, Bizzarro, D. Costa, Kortz, Jozwiak and Miccarelli |
Introduced as HB217