Pennsylvania SB 1144: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in retail food facility safety, prohibiting return of groceries and other foodstuffs during COVID-19 disaster emergency.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1395
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1144
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, BOSCOLA, MASTRIANO, PENNYCUICK,
CULVER, VOGEL AND J. WARD, JANUARY 20, 2026
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JANUARY 20, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing
for sentencing for certain aggravated cruelty to animal
offenses.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 9720.9. Sentencing for certain aggravated cruelty to animal
offenses.
(a) Sentencing enhancement.-- The Pennsylvania Commission on
Sentencing, in accordance with section 2154 (relating to
adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a
sentence enhancement within its guidelines for an offense under
18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) (relating to aggravated cruelty to
animal) specifying variations from the range of sentences
applicable based on the aggravating circumstance of the offense
committed using a deadly weapon.
(b) Definition.--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:
"Deadly weapon." Any of the following:
(1) A firearm as defined under section 9712(e) (relating
to sentences for offenses committed with firearms), whether
loaded or unloaded.
(2) A dangerous weapon as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 913(f)
(relating to possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon
in court facility).
(3) Any device, implement or instrumentality capable of
producing death or serious bodily injury.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20260SB1144PN1395 - 2 -
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