House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 9, 2019 03:06 PM
From:	Representative Angel Cruz
To:	All House members
Subject:	Mental Health Reporting Requirements

Currently, the Uniform Firearms Act and the Mental Health Procedures Act require notification to the Pennsylvania State Police within seven days of mental health adjudication, treatment, involuntary commitment or treatment. This timeframe was set long before the instant information age of today. A lot can happen in seven days, often with dire consequences.

Cutting this timeframe in half can prevent serious incidents without overburdening our counties and providers. I am proposing that the notification requirement under both acts be reduced to between 72 and 96 hours, which would align standards more closely with similar reporting measures already in place state and nationwide.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925.

Document #1

Introduced as HB459

Description:	AN ACT- Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for Pennsylvania State Police.
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Document #2

Introduced as HB462

Description:	AN ACT- Amending the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L. 817, No. 143), known as the Mental Health Procedures Act, in general provisions, further providing for mental health review officer.
	View Attachment