Pennsylvania HB 1944: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Justice and its departmental administrative boards, further providing for Bureau of Consumer Protection and providing for opioid action task force; in powers and duties of the Department of Health and its departmental administrative and advisory boards, further providing for residential drug and alcohol treatment programs for pregnant women and mothers and their dependent children and for staff training and referral mechanisms; in powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, providing for residential drug and alcohol treatment programs for pregnant women and mothers and their dependent children; providing for intergovernmental collaboration on substance abuse and for public health emergency; and making editorial changes.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2453 PRINTER'S NO. 3615
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1944
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FRIEL, KINKEAD, WAXMAN, KHAN, GAYDOS, HOWARD,
HILL-EVANS, HANBIDGE, MAYES, SANCHEZ, INGLIS, D. WILLIAMS,
NEILSON AND GREEN, OCTOBER 14, 2025
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JUNE 16, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in minors, further providing for safe
harbor for violation of section 6308(a).
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 6308.1(a) introductory paragraph of Title
18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 6308.1. Safe harbor for violation of section 6308(a).
(a) Immunity for the individual seeking medical attention
for another.--An individual shall not be prosecuted for an
offense under section 6308(a) (relating to purchase,
consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or
brewed beverages) or 2705 (relating to recklessly endangering
another person) if the individual can establish all of the
following:
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
AMENDING TITLE 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
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CONSOLIDATED STATUTES, IN ASSAULT, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR THE
OFFENSE OF RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. SECTION 2705 OF TITLE 18 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED TO READ:
§ 2705. RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON.
(A) OFFENSE DEFINED.--A PERSON COMMITS A MISDEMEANOR OF THE
SECOND DEGREE IF HE RECKLESSLY ENGAGES IN CONDUCT WHICH PLACES
OR MAY PLACE ANOTHER PERSON IN DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY.
(B) IMMUNITY FOR PERSONS SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR
ANOTHER.--
(1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2), A PERSON SHALL
BE IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION UNDER THIS SECTION WHO, IN GOOD
FAITH:
(I) REPORTS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER, THE 911 SYSTEM, A CAMPUS SECURITY OFFICER OR
EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL, REGARDLESS OF THE
TIMELINESS OF THE REPORT;
(II) RENDERS EMERGENCY CARE, TREATMENT, FIRST AID OR
RESCUE AT THE SCENE OF AN EMERGENCY EVENT OR CRIME,
WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON IS TRAINED TO PRACTICE
MEDICINE; OR
(III) MOVES THE PERSON EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL
EMERGENCY TO A HOSPITAL OR OTHER PLACE OF MEDICAL CARE.
(2) IMMUNITY PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) SHALL NOT
APPLY IF THE UNDERLYING MEDICAL EMERGENCY WOULD NOT HAVE
OCCURRED BUT FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE PERSON INVOKING THE
IMMUNITY.
(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:
"911 SYSTEM." A SYSTEM, INCLUDING ENHANCED 911 SERVICE AND A
WIRELESS E-911 SYSTEM, THAT PERMITS A PERSON DIALING 911 BY
TELEPHONE TO BE CONNECTED TO A PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT,
VIA NORMAL TELEPHONE FACILITIES, FOR THE REPORTING OF POLICE,
FIRE, MEDICAL OR OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
"ALCOHOL-INDUCED MEDICAL EMERGENCY." AN ACUTE MEDICAL
CONDITION, INCLUDING SEVERE PHYSICAL ILLNESS, COMA, MANIA,
HYSTERIA OR DEATH, THAT:
(1) IS THE RESULT OF THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL OR
ALCOHOL IN COMBINATION WITH THE USE OF ONE OR MORE CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES CAUSING AN ADVERSE REACTION.
(2) A PRUDENT LAYPERSON, POSSESSING AN AVERAGE KNOWLEDGE
OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH, WOULD REASONABLY BELIEVE IS IN FACT
INDUCED BY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL
ATTENTION.
"CAMPUS SECURITY OFFICER." AN EMPLOYEE OF AN INSTITUTION OF
HIGHER EDUCATION CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING THE SAFETY AND
SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY OF THE INSTITUTION AND THE PERSONS ON
THE PROPERTY.
"DRUG OVERDOSE EVENT." AN ACUTE MEDICAL CONDITION, INCLUDING
SEVERE PHYSICAL ILLNESS, COMA, MANIA, HYSTERIA OR DEATH, THAT:
(1) IS THE RESULT OF THE CONSUMPTION OR USE OF ONE OR
MORE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES CAUSING AN ADVERSE REACTION.
(2) A PRUDENT LAYPERSON, POSSESSING AN AVERAGE KNOWLEDGE
OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH, WOULD REASONABLY BELIEVE IS IN FACT A
DRUG OVERDOSE AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
"EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL." A PERSON, INCLUDING A
TRAINED VOLUNTEER OR A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED
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STATES OR THE NATIONAL GUARD, WHOSE OFFICIAL OR ASSIGNED
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE PERFORMING OR DIRECTLY SUPPORTING THE
PERFORMANCE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND RESCUE SERVICES OR
FIREFIGHTING.
"LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER." A PERSON WHO BY VIRTUE OF THE
PERSON'S OFFICE OR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT IS VESTED BY LAW WITH A
DUTY TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ORDER OR TO MAKE ARRESTS FOR OFFENSES,
WHETHER THAT DUTY EXTENDS TO ALL OFFENSES OR IS LIMITED TO
SPECIFIC OFFENSES,