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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 21, 2014 01:11 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa Baker |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Penalties for Falsely Claiming to Be a Veteran |
| I will soon be introducing legislation to provide a penalty for those who falsely claim to be a veteran on their Pennsylvania driver’s license application. The ability to secure a “veteran” designation on Pennsylvania’s driver’s license was awarded to veterans through House Bill 2428 of 2012, now Act 176. To make it as convenient as possible for our deserving veterans to secure this benefit, the Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) permitted veterans to self-certify their status subject to verification by DMVA. However, since the time of the law’s implementation on March 1, some veterans have expressed concern at the ease with which a motorist can falsely claim “veteran” status. My bill will outline added penalties, to provide an additional deterrent. The penalty for misrepresentation would be a summary offense subject to a $300 fine and possible imprisonment of between 30 and 90 days for those who fail to pay the fine. These penalties are similar to those imposed for the charge of “unsworn falsification to authorities,” which is a misdemeanor of the second or third degree. My legislation is designed to protect the integrity of the “veteran” driver’s license designation process, and to preserve the “veteran” license designation for only those who have earned it. Thank you for considering this proposed legislation. |
Introduced as SB1405
Memo Updated: April 21, 2014 01:12 PM