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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 12, 2017 11:18 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Thomas P. Murt |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increased Penalties for “Upskirting” (Prior HB 2422) |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation to increase the penalties for invasion of privacy, which includes photographing the intimate parts of a person in a public place without their knowledge. This disgusting practice is commonly known as “upskirting” because it typically involves a person surreptitiously placing a phone or camera under a woman’s skirt and taking a photograph. Through the use of modern technology, a person is easily victimized within seconds. If the electronic image is transmitted, it may last forever. Pennsylvania amended its invasion of privacy law in 2005 to specifically target this behavior, but I believe the penalties do not go far enough to be an effective deterrent. Currently, a single offense is punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a $2,500 fine. Multiple violations are punishable by up to two years and a $5,000 fine. My legislation would make a single offense punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and multiple violations punishable by up to five years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine. Previous Cosponsors: MURT, BOBACK, D. COSTA, GILLEN, HELM, KINSEY, NELSON and WATSON |
Introduced as HB903