Pennsylvania HB 102: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of harassment.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 81, 1943 PRINTER'S NO. 2380
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 102
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KULIK, SANCHEZ, NEILSON, HILL-EVANS, CIRESI,
HARKINS AND SHUSTERMAN, JANUARY 14, 2025
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the
offense of harassment and providing for the offense of
harassment of sports official.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2709(c) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended and subsection (f) is amended
by adding a definition to read:
§ 2709. Harassment.
* * *
(c) Grading.--
(1) Except as provided under [paragraph (3)] paragraphs
(3) and (4), an offense under subsection (a)(1), (2) or (3)
shall constitute a summary offense.
(2) An offense under subsection (a)(4), (5), (6) or (7)
or (a.1) shall constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(3) The grading of an offense under subsection (a)(1),
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(2) or (3) shall be enhanced one degree if the person has
previously violated an order issued under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108
(relating to relief) involving the same victim, family or
household member.
(4) The grading of an offense under subsection (a)(1),
(2) or (3) shall constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree
where the victim is a sports official who was harassed as a
result of official acts or status as a sports official.
* * *
(f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
* * *
"Sports official." A person at a sporting event who enforces
the rules of the event, including a person who supervises the
participants. The term includes a coach, umpire, referee,
trainer, team attendant, game manager, athletic director,
assistant athletic director, president, dean, headmaster,
principal and assistant principal of a school, college or
university.
Section 2. Title 18 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 2709.2. Harassment of sports official.
(a) Offense defined.--A person who violates section 2709(a)
(1), (2), (3) or (4) (relating to harassment), where the victim
is a sports official who was harassed as a result of official
acts or status as a sports official, is guilty of harassment of
a sports official.
(b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) shall
constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
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words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Sports official." A person at a sporting event who enforces
the rules of the event, such as an umpire or referee, or a
person who supervises the participants, such as a coach. The
term includes a trainer, team attendant, game manager, athletic
director, assistant athletic director, president, dean,
headmaster, principal and assistant principal of a school,
college or university.
Section 3 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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