Laws should be put on Internet
There ought to be a law to ensure the public has free online access to the laws of the commonwealth. But for that to happen, the Senate and the governor need to act.
Last month, the state House unanimously approved a bill that would require Pennsylvania to put all of its statutes on a free Internet site.
Such an effort is not unusual. Forty-nine states have made their statutes available on free Internet sites. Pennsylvania is the only exception. If someone wants to do legal research on a Pennsylvania statute, he must buy or borrow legal books or visit a law or state library.
In an era in which online, 24-7 access to information is the norm and the state is trying to lure more high-technology businesses and research facilities, Pennsylvania is far behind the curve.
Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny, who sponsored House Bill 976, sees free online access to Pennsylvania’s statutes as an important part of government reform. The Associated Press quotes her as saying, “We need to have greater transparency in government and in our laws.”
We agree.
Senators should move quickly to consider HB 976.
Your tax dollars paid to create and enforce the laws. You should not have to pay again to view the statutes at your leisure. It’s time for Pennsylvania to catch up to the rest of the nation.