Pa. Lawmaker Rewriting Bill To Target Bad Parents At Casinos

HARRISBURG (CBS) - A bill that would increase the penalties for parents who leave children unattended in vehicles has hit some turbulence in the Pennsylvania House.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) after a rash of incidents at Parx Casino in Bensalem involving children left in vehicles.

His bill would make leaving a child under the age of 13 unattended in a vehicle a third-degree felony instead of a misdemeanor, raising prison time from a maximum of five years to a maximum of seven years.

The bill was up for consideration before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, but DiGirolamo says some members are concerned that it's too broad:

"They were really worried about somebody pulling up in front of a Wawa or a pizza place, grabbing a gallon of milk or a pizza, and coming out and being charged with a felony. So I thought it would just be a good idea to go back, maybe try to put some additional language."

With the number of days remaining in the current legislative session dwindling, DiGirolamo is still hopeful for action on the bill.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio Harrisburg Bureau Chief.
File photo by KYW's Mike DeNardo