Pennsylvania SB 1405: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1854
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1405
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, LANGERHOLC, BARTOLOTTA, PHILLIPS-HILL,
J. WARD, VOGEL, STEFANO AND PICOZZI, JUNE 26, 2026
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JUNE 26, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in arson, criminal mischief and other
property destruction, further providing for the offense of
arson and related offenses.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3301(j) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:
§ 3301. Arson and related offenses.
* * *
(j) Definitions.--As used in this section the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
"Actively engaged in fighting the fire." The following:
(1) In active duty in the protection of the public
against fire, which shall include:
(i) Efforts to detect fires.
(ii) Firefighting response.
(iii) Extinguishing fires.
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(iv) Efforts in response to a fire to protect life
and property, including obtaining adequate equipment.
(v) Measures to actively assist in activities under
subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv).
(vi) Any other activity that assists with the
suppression of an active fire, including, but not limited
to, traffic control, station standby or any other action
by a first responder which occurred as a result of the
arson.
(2) Nothing in this definition shall be construed to
include fundraising to support firefighter services in this
Commonwealth.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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