Pennsylvania HB 1055: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of intimidation of health care workers.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1146
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1055
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, PIELLI, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ,
HOHENSTEIN, McNEILL, HANBIDGE, MAYES, FREEMAN, NEILSON,
CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, SCHLOSSBERG, VENKAT, GUENST, PROBST, DALEY,
HADDOCK, WARREN, DEASY, CURRY, KENYATTA AND BOROWSKI,
MARCH 26, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 26, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense
of intimidation of health care workers.
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:
§ 2706.1. Intimidation of health care workers.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of
intimidation of a health care worker if the person:
(1) knowingly and willfully makes a threat orally or in
writing against any health care practitioner, technician or
hospital security officer with the intent to intimidate,
interfere with or impede the performance of official duties;
or
(2) knowingly or willfully sends or delivers a threat
prohibited under paragraph (1).
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(b) Grading.--
(1) A first offense under subsection (a) shall
constitute a summary offense.
(2) A second or subsequent offense under subsection (a)
shall constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(c) Posting of notice.--Notice of the offense under this
section shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to
each health care facility. No person shall be convicted of an
offense under this section if the notice was not posted at each
public entrance of the health care facility unless the person
had actual notice of the offense.
(d) 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:
"Health care facility." The term shall have the meaning
given to it in section 103 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130,
No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act.
"Health care practitioner." The term shall have the meaning
given to it in section 103 of the Health Care Facilities Act.
"Hospital security officer." An employee of a hospital
charged with maintaining the safety and security of the property
of the hospital and the individuals on the property.
"Technician." The term shall have the meaning given to it in
the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the
Medical Practice Act of 1985.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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