TWO YEARS IN JAIL? Bill Would Make Not Wearing Mask A Misdemeanor In Pennsylvania

Senate Bill 1287 says Pennsylvanians who don’t wear masks are recklessly endangering other people. The bill would amend Title 18 “(Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of recklessly endangering another person.”

“A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if the person willfully fails to wear a mask or other face covering that is necessary to protect public health as a result of a declaration by the Governor,” the proposed bill states.

“My legislation will add failing to adhere to the face covering requirements of a declaration of disaster emergency to the crime of ‘recklessly endangering another person,’ punishable as a misdemeanor of the second degree,” said bill sponsor Sen. Art Haywood (D). “Willfully exposing someone to another deadly disease already is a violation of our Crimes Code. Now is the time to act to protect those we love and those at risk from a senseless death.

Violating the edict is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
After the bill was introduced, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R) posted on Facebook that it couldn’t “get anymore crazy.”