The first gang-related law in Pennsylvania is on its way to the Governor's desk for his signature.
The bill would make it a crime to recruit gang members and would strengthen the penalties for crimes committed by gang members.
The three state senators who came together to create this new law say it is long over-due.
It'll give prosecutors new tools to get these gang members off the streets.
State Senator John Rafferty plays a key role in putting a stop to gangs in Pennsylvania. He along with two other senators drew up legislation that will crack down on those who recruit gang members.
The bill was passed and is on the way to Governor Tom Corbett's desk. The law will make it a second degree misdemeanor if a person is caught recruiting someone to join a gang, a first degree misdemeanor if a person threatens or hurts someone by forcing them to join a gang.
If the person is seriously hurt, the charge turns into a felony. But if the person who's being recruited is 16 or under, the punishment gets even worse.
"This will really, put some teeth into the law to provide recruiting for the gangs and that includes not only in high schools or neighborhoods, but it includes those in prison now, from recruiting gang members,” explained State Senator Rafferty. “We're trying to do that to stop the gang violence that's growing not only in this commonwealth but throughout this county."
The Governor has ten days to sign this into law. The law takes effect 60 days after the Governor signs it.
The bill would make it a crime to recruit gang members and would strengthen the penalties for crimes committed by gang members.
The three state senators who came together to create this new law say it is long over-due.
It'll give prosecutors new tools to get these gang members off the streets.
State Senator John Rafferty plays a key role in putting a stop to gangs in Pennsylvania. He along with two other senators drew up legislation that will crack down on those who recruit gang members.
The bill was passed and is on the way to Governor Tom Corbett's desk. The law will make it a second degree misdemeanor if a person is caught recruiting someone to join a gang, a first degree misdemeanor if a person threatens or hurts someone by forcing them to join a gang.
If the person is seriously hurt, the charge turns into a felony. But if the person who's being recruited is 16 or under, the punishment gets even worse.
"This will really, put some teeth into the law to provide recruiting for the gangs and that includes not only in high schools or neighborhoods, but it includes those in prison now, from recruiting gang members,” explained State Senator Rafferty. “We're trying to do that to stop the gang violence that's growing not only in this commonwealth but throughout this county."
The Governor has ten days to sign this into law. The law takes effect 60 days after the Governor signs it.