Posted: | December 13, 2018 05:14 PM |
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From: | Senator Lisa Baker |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Earmarking "Stolen Valor" fines to the Veterans' Trust Fund |
Pennsylvania’s Stolen Valor statute provides that an individual who wears a uniform or other indicia of membership, without authority, commits a summary offense. It also provides that an individual commits a misdemeanor if, with the intent to obtain certain benefits, he or she fraudulently holds himself or herself out as a member of the armed forces or as the recipient of any decoration or medal. In either event, a violation of the law subjects an individual to the imposition of a fine. I plan to reintroduce legislation transferring these fines to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund, which issues grants to organizations that assist veterans. In this way, not only will the Stolen Valor legislation protect the valor and integrity of our veterans and the honors that they have earned, but it would also serve to support them and their present day needs. Of the 13 other states that have enacted stolen valor legislation, six require that fines imposed as a result of violations are earmarked to veterans’ causes. This legislation was introduced last session at the suggestion of a veteran in the 20th Senatorial District as SB 933 and was cosponsored by Senators Rafferty, Hughes, Yudichak, Mensch, Costa, Killion, Vulakovich, K. Ward, Tartaglione, Sabatina and Stefano. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SB298