Pennsylvania House Bill 56 classifies threats against religious facilities and government buildings as third-degree felonies

Original title: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats.

Last action · January 14, 2025: Referred to JUDICIARY, Jan. 14, 2025Sponsors: Marla Brown and 6 others

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 56 expands Pennsylvania's terroristic threats law to classify any threat directed at a church, school, municipal building, courthouse, or government facility as a , taking effect in 60 days.

Why it matters

The measure changes criminal penalties by ensuring that threats causing no evacuation but targeting specific public or religious properties carry felony charges instead of standard misdemeanor penalties.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Religious organizations and schools

Threats directed at these facilities are newly categorized as third-degree felonies.

Directly affected

State and local government agencies

Municipal buildings, courthouses, and government offices are added to the list of protected locations under the felony grading provision.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What criminal charge applies to a threat made against a school under this bill?

A threat directed at a school or educational facility is classified as a .

When does this legislation take effect if enacted?

The act takes effect in 60 days.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Jan 14, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to JUDICIARY, Jan. 14, 2025

Version history

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