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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 17, 2017 11:31 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Mario M. Scavello and Sen. Lawrence M. Farnese, Jr. |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Senate Bill: Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) – Additional Sentencing Option (Evaluation for Gambling Disorder) for Trespassers at PA Casino on Self-exclusion List |
| In the near future, we plan on reintroducing legislation that would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), Section 3503 (Criminal Trespass) by adding a subsection providing the court with an additional sentencing option in relation to a person convicted of defiant or simple trespass resulting from a violation of a self-exclusion list established by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or a PA casino. The additional sentencing option presented in this legislation provides the court may direct the self-excluded individual to be evaluated to determine if the person has a gambling disorder and whether there is a need for counseling or treatment as part of the sentence or preadjudication disposition. This legislation does not create a new type of criminal trespass, but rather only gives the court an additional sentencing option of requiring an individual to be evaluated to assist in battling and treating gambling addiction if deemed beneficial to the self-excluded individual. This legislation was introduced during the 2013-2014 legislative session as SB 1488 and the 2015-2016 legislative session as SB 428, which was co-sponsored by Senators Gordner, Farnese, Fontana, Rafferty, Schwank, Stefano, Vulakovich and Ward. This legislation was passed (48-0) by the PA Senate last session. Note, similar legislation has also been introduced in the PA House in past sessions. If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Jason R. Brehouse, Esq. at 717-787-6123 or jbrehouse@pasen.gov. |
Introduced as SB496