Committee advances bill allowing entities to collect restitution

The state House Judiciary Committee recently advanced a bill that would allow businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations to collect restitution if they are victims of a crime.

Under current state law, a victim is defined as a person who has suffered physical or mental injury, death or the loss of earnings.

The state Supreme Court recently ruled businesses and governmental entities are not eligible for reimbursement after being victimized and suffering losses.

When Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Fayette County) was a member of a joint sewage authority, the authority’s former executive was charged with embezzlement and ordered to pay significant restitution to the authority.

“Because the authority was a government entity, it could have lost the right to restitution under this ruling, leaving taxpayers to make up the costs,” Stefano, who sponsored the bill, said. “When individuals steal from non-profits, governments, and businesses, they should be required to pay for that crime. This expansion will enable these entities to receive restitution in instances where, for example, an act of theft, hacking, embezzlement or destruction of property has been perpetrated against them.”

Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh County) worked with Stefan to co-author the bill.

The bill moves to the full House for consideration.