Bill > HB384

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's criminal trespass law to add new provisions related to gambling-related offenses. Specifically, the bill introduces a new subsection that allows courts to order an evaluation for gambling disorder when someone is convicted of criminal trespass at a licensed gaming facility or video gaming area, and that person's name is on a self-exclusion list. The court can direct a clinician to assess whether the individual has a gambling disorder and determine if counseling or treatment is necessary. The bill also expands definitions related to gaming, adding terms like "licensed facility," "licensed gaming entity," and "video gaming area" to provide clarity in the law. These definitions are drawn from Pennsylvania's gaming statutes and help specify the contexts in which these new evaluation provisions apply. The purpose seems to be addressing potential gambling addiction by providing a mechanism for intervention and treatment when individuals violate self-exclusion agreements at gaming establishments. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment, giving time for implementation and notification of relevant parties.