The Word from Harrisburg By Sen. Judy Ward

Cases of strangulation could be considered in sentencing for subsequent crimes and in child custody proceedings under a bill approved by the Senate June 3, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Judy Ward (R-30).

The General Assembly approved a law in 2016 that created the criminal offense of strangulation. Senate Bill 275 would fully integrate that offense in Pennsylvania’s laws to ensure strangulation is classified in the same way as other similar violent crimes.

Sen. Ward said the bill was especially important to protect victims of domestic violence. Nearly half of all domestic...