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Bill > HB895
PA HB895
PA HB895In Office of Attorney General, providing for citizens' intervention in conspiracies; and imposing duties on the Office of Attorney General.
summary
Introduced
03/13/2025
03/13/2025
In Committee
03/13/2025
03/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), entitled "A supplement to the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled 'An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the Executive Department thereof and the administrative departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof, including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative officers, and of the several administrative departments, boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards, and commissions; and prescribing the manner in which the number and compensation of the deputies and all other assistants and employes of certain departments, boards and commissions shall be determined,' implementing the addition of section 4.1 to Article IV of the Constitution of Pennsylvania; establishing the Office of Attorney General elected by the citizens and setting forth powers and duties of the Attorney General; creating an Office of General Counsel and providing for legal services for Commonwealth agencies; transferring, reorganizing or reconstituting certain boards, commissions and agencies; placing certain duties upon the courts and district attorneys; repealing certain acts and parts of acts and making appropriations," in Office of Attorney General, providing for citizens' intervention in conspiracies; and imposing duties on the Office of Attorney General. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Citizens' Intervention in Conspiracies Act.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new mechanism for citizens to help the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office investigate and prosecute certain federal violations by creating a formal reporting system with potential financial incentives. The bill requires the Attorney General's Office to create a publicly accessible website, email address, and toll-free number where individuals can report potential violations of specific federal laws, including those related to consumer protection, antitrust, online privacy, consumer credit, and other regulated areas. When a citizen provides information that leads to a successful monetary recovery, they may be eligible for a witness award ranging from 5% to 15% of the total recovery, depending on the substantive nature of their contribution. The reporting system includes protections for informants, such as a unique identifying number and password, and mandates that the office either pursue the reported violation or refer it to an appropriate jurisdiction. If the office does not properly acknowledge or include a citizen's contribution in a potential award motion, the citizen can appeal to Commonwealth Court. The bill aims to enhance enforcement capabilities by leveraging citizens' knowledge and creating a structured pathway for reporting potential legal violations, with an implementation timeline of 180 days after passage.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (9)
Kristine Howard (D)*,
Bob Freeman (D),
Roni Green (D),
Nancy Guenst (D),
Keith Harris (D),
Carol Hill-Evans (D),
Malcolm Kenyatta (D),
Tarik Khan (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Last Action
Referred to Judiciary (on 03/13/2025)
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