Pennsylvania HB 1935: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2434
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1935
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BRIGGS, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, NEILSON, HANBIDGE,
SANCHEZ, GALLAGHER, BELLMON AND D. WILLIAMS, OCTOBER 8, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 8, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the
offense of terroristic threats.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2706(b) and (e) of Title 18 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended and the section
is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 2706. Terroristic threats.
* * *
(b) Restitution.--A person convicted of violating this
section shall, in addition to any other sentence imposed or
restitution ordered under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(c) (relating to
sentencing generally), be sentenced to pay restitution in an
amount equal to the cost of the evacuation, including, but not
limited to, fire and police response; emergency medical service
or emergency preparedness response; and transportation of an
individual from the building, place of assembly or facility. The
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court may also order restitution in an amount equal to the cost
of supplies, equipment and materials, including the salary,
overtime pay or other wages of affected employees and first
responders.
* * *
(d.1) Sentencing enhancement.--In addition to any minimum
term of imprisonment authorized or established by State law for
an offense under subsection (a), the Pennsylvania Commission on
Sentencing, in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 2154 (relating to
adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a
sentencing enhancement for courts to consider in cases involving
a terroristic threat against a school entity or an institution
of higher education.
(e) [Definition] Definitions.--[As used in this section, the
term "communicates" means conveys in person or by written or
electronic means, including telephone, electronic mail,
Internet, facsimile, telex and similar transmissions.] As used
in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
"Communicates." Conveys in person or by written or
electronic means, including telephone, email, Internet,
facsimile, telex and similar transmissions.
"Institution of higher education." Any of the following:
(1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A of
the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the
Public School Code of 1949.
(2) A university within the State System of Higher
Education.
(3) The Pennsylvania State University.
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(4) The University of Pittsburgh.
(5) Temple University.
(6) Lincoln University.
(7) Another institution designated by the Commonwealth
as State-related.
(8) An accredited private or independent college or
university.
(9) A private licensed school as defined in section 2 of
the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the
Private Licensed Schools Act.
"School entity." A public school, including a charter school
or a cyber charter school, a private school, a nonpublic school,
an intermediate unit or an area career and technical school
operating within this Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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