PA Lawmakers Reassess Jailing Parents For A Child's Truancy

by Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG (CBS) -- State lawmakers are seeking to overhaul a state law that can send parents to prison for a child's truancy.

A bill passed by the State Senate this past week was introduced in response to the case of Eileen DiNino, a Berks County widow and mother of seven who died while serving a 48-hour jail sentence for not paying fines assessed over her son's absences from school.

Berks County Senate Democrat Judy Schwank says DiNino's death was a wake-up call.

"Eileen died in prison, with her children at home alone, simply because she could not pay a $2,000 fine that had accumulated against her. Frankly, it was very shocking to me and to many," said Schwank.

The Senate bill would allow for jail time only if a parent willfully refuses to pay fines and refuses to complete community service. That bill now goes to the House, which earlier this year already passed similar legislation.

State lawmakers are seeking to overhaul a state law that can send parents to prison for a child's truancy. KYW Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo reports…