Scarnati Amendment Would Increase Penalties for
Impersonating a Doctor in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG – Legislation that now includes an increase to penalties for impersonating a physician in Pennsylvania, was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25).

Scarnati explained that House Bill 1357 was originally introduced to increase the penalties for impersonating public officials. Scarnati then offered an amendment to the bill to also increase violations for impersonating a physician.

“Impersonating a physician can have dire consequences for individuals who unknowingly place their healthcare in the hands of someone who is not properly trained,” Scarnati said. “My amendment was aimed at helping to protect those seeking medical advice and treatment.”

According to Scarnati, his amendment increased the offense from a second degree misdemeanor to a misdemeanor of the first degree. A measure to make this change was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Matt Baker.

“I commend my colleague in the House, Representative Matt Baker on his work to advance this protection measure,” Scarnati stated. “In 2011, a Philadelphia Grand Jury brought to light instances of physician impersonation while investigating the Abortion Clinic of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. My hope is that with making these changes, we will decrease the likelihood that these crimes will recur.”

House Bill 1357 has been sent back to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Arrests in Operation Diamond Drop

Image
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, assisted by local police officers from across Erie County and the Pennsylvania State Police, are in the process of arresting 41 suspects linked to a nearly $5 million drug organization operating in and around Erie. Corbett said the nearly 2-year long grand jury investigation, known as “Operation Diamond Drop,” used court-ordered wiretaps, undercover surveillance and controlled drug purchases to identify large-scale cocaine and marijuana traffickers in the region. “Drug trafficking at this level is ‘big business’, including upper-level suppliers, mid-level distributers and street-level sales people,” Corbett said. “Our investigations focus on following the drugs and money to their source, allowing us to attack an entire drug distribution network when we make our arrests.” Corbett said the chief figure charged today is Miguel Angel Burgos, 31, 9891 Holly...
Read more

Two Arrested on Drug Charges

Image
Two people were arrested on drug charges after state police got a report about unauthorized use of a vehicle. Troopers found the vehicle in Randolph on Wednesday and arrested the driver, 31-year-old Bridget Bardo of Conewango, for aggravated unlicensed operation and criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was released on her own recognizance and scheduled to appear in Town of Randolph Court. Her passenger, 28-year-old Andrew Jaquish of Salamanca, was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police also learned there was an active warrant against him from City of Jamestown Court. He was sent to Chautauqua County Jail on $1,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947
Read more

Cops: Man Had Sex with 13-Year-Old

Image
A Derrick City man is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl. 19-year-old Richie Cromley is charged with statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and criminal solicitation on a computer of a sex act with a child. He was sent to jail on $100,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947
Read more