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

Bill Text

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
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense
of political intimidation.
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:
§ 2720. Political intimidation.
(a) Offense defined.--
(1) A person commits the offense of political
intimidation if, with malicious intention toward another
individual, group of individuals or their property, as a
result of political affiliation, the person commits an
offense under:
(i) any other provision of this article;
(ii) Chapter 33 (relating to arson, criminal
mischief and other property destruction), except as
provided under paragraph (2); or
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

(iii) section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass).
(2) Section 3307 (relating to institutional vandalism)
shall not apply to paragraph (1)(ii).
(b) Grading.--
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), an offense
under this section shall be classified as a misdemeanor of
the third degree if the other offense is classified as a
summary offense.
(2) An offense under this section shall be classified
one degree higher than the classification of the other
offense specified in section 106 (relating to classes of
offenses).
(c) 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:
"Malicious intention." The intention to commit an act, the
commission of which is a necessary element of an offense under
subsection (a) motivated by hatred toward the political
affiliation of another individual or group of individuals.
"Political affiliation." Belonging to or endorsing, verbally
or nonverbally, a political party or ideology.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB1994PN2523 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22