Pennsylvania HB 2376: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for civil immigration arrests in houses of worship.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3166
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2376
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, PIELLI, KENYATTA, VENKAT,
N. NELSON, BOYD, BURGOS, PROBST, SOLOMON, MAYES, SHUSTERMAN,
WAXMAN, CARROLL, BOROWSKI, GREEN, WARREN, VITALI, KAZEEM,
RIVERA, K. HARRIS, FRIEL, PARKER, HILL-EVANS, FRANKEL,
FIEDLER, D. WILLIAMS, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, MERSKI, HOHENSTEIN,
STEELE, GUZMAN, CIRESI, CURRY AND O'MARA, APRIL 10, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 13, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, providing for civil immigration arrests in
houses of worship.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 5518. Civil immigration arrests in houses of worship.
(a) Offense defined.--
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), a
representative of a Federal, State or local law enforcement
authority may not detain, arrest or otherwise take into
custody a person located on the property of a house of
worship on the basis of immigration enforcement.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply when a representative
of Federal, State or local law enforcement is acting in the
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representative's official capacity and possesses on the
representative's person the judicial warrant that clearly
demonstrates that the person to be detained, arrested or
otherwise taken into custody is the subject of a judicial
warrant.
(b) Warrant disclosure.--If a representative of a Federal,
State or local law enforcement authority effectuates an arrest
on the basis of immigration enforcement on the property of a
house of worship, the arresting representative shall be required
to provide the necessary documentation under subsection (a) to
any individual who requests to review the documentation.
(c) Use of State appropriated money.--A representative of a
State or local law enforcement authority may not use State-
appropriated money or resources to conduct immigration
enforcement.
(d) Civil penalty.--A person who violates this section shall
be subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 for each offense. A
penalty imposed under this section shall be paid to the
Commonwealth.
(e) Definitions.--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:
"House of worship." A church, synagogue, mosque or other
facility or place used for religious worship or other religious
purpose.
"Immigration enforcement." An effort to investigate, enforce
or assist in the investigation or enforcement of a Federal civil
immigration law. The term includes an effort to investigate,
enforce or assist in the investigation or enforcement of a
Federal criminal immigration law that penalizes a person's
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presence in, entry or reentry to or employment in the United
States, including a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1253 (relating to
penalties related to removal), 1324c (relating to penalties for
document fraud), 1325 (relating to improper entry by alien) or
1326 (relating to reentry of removed aliens).
"Judicial warrant." A written order that is signed by a
judicial officer from a Federal Article III court or a State
court of competent jurisdiction that directs a law enforcement
agency or some other person who is specifically named in the
order to arrest a person.
"Law enforcement authority." The term includes:
(1) A member of the Pennsylvania State Police.
(2) An individual employed in a position requiring
certification in accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 (relating
to employees).
(3) An officer or employee of any Federal agency.
(4) Individuals acting on behalf of a Federal agency in
an official capacity, temporarily or permanently in the
service of the United States, whether with or without
compensation.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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