HARRISBURG - State Rep. John Siptroth said legislation he co-sponsored that would make it a crime in Pennsylvania to knowingly sell recalled children's products and give the state attorney general and district attorneys the authority to prosecute such offenses unanimously passed the House today.

The bill (H.B. 1431) also would require manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and distributors to notify their customers and retailers of recalled children's products within 24 hours of the announced recall. Siptroth said retailers would have three days to remove recalled items from their shelves.  

"Parents should not have to worry about buying unsafe items for their children in our stores," said Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike. "This is good legislation that strengthens our consumer protection laws."

The legislation also would require the attorney general to establish and maintain a Web site that would provide links to lists of all national agencies that deal with consumer product safety and product recalls. The products identified by any of these lists would be restricted from sale or commerce within Pennsylvania.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.