HB 1994 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of political intimidation.

PRINTER'S NO.   2523

                      THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                             HOUSE BILL
                             No. 1994
                                                    Session of
                                                      2025

     INTRODUCED BY FRITZ, PUGH, PICKETT, BANTA, STEELE AND WATRO,
        OCTOBER 24, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 27, 2025


                                         AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense
 3      of political intimidation.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.         Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 7   Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
 8   § 2720.    Political intimidation.
 9      (a)    Offense defined.--
10             (1)   A person commits the offense of political
11      intimidation if, with malicious intention toward another
12      individual, group of individuals or their property, as a
13      result of political affiliation, the person commits an
14      offense under:
15                   (i)    any other provision of this article;
16                   (ii)    Chapter 33 (relating to arson, criminal
17             mischief and other property destruction), except as
18             provided under paragraph (2); or
 1                  (iii)   section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass).
 2            (2)   Section 3307 (relating to institutional vandalism)
 3      shall not apply to paragraph (1)(ii).
 4      (b)   Grading.--
 5            (1)   Except as provided under paragraph (2), an offense
 6      under this section shall be classified as a misdemeanor of
 7      the third degree if the other offense is classified as a
 8      summary offense.
 9            (2)   An offense under this section shall be classified
10      one degree higher than the classification of the other
11      offense specified in section 106 (relating to classes of
12      offenses).
13      (c)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
14   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
15   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
16      "Malicious intention."      The intention to commit an act, the
17   commission of which is a necessary element of an offense under
18   subsection (a) motivated by hatred toward the political
19   affiliation of another individual or group of individuals.
20      "Political affiliation."      Belonging to or endorsing, verbally
21   or nonverbally, a political party or ideology.
22      Section 2.     This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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