Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB529

Introduced
3/15/23  

Caption

In obstructing governmental operations, providing for the offense of failure to provide reasonable assistance to persons subject to grave physical harm.

Impact

If passed, SB529 would amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, thus creating legal repercussions for individuals who neglect to assist those in peril. A violation of this new provision would be classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree, contributing to a shift in how emergency response situations are addressed legally within the state. Moreover, the bill provides legal immunity to those who attempt to assist victims, protecting them from prosecution unless their actions involve gross negligence or intentional harm, thus promoting proactive assistance.

Summary

Senate Bill 529 seeks to enhance public safety in Pennsylvania by establishing the offense of failure to provide reasonable assistance to individuals experiencing grave physical harm during emergencies. The bill defines grave physical harm as serious bodily injury or death and makes it illegal for individuals who are aware of such situations to fail to assist unless doing so would endanger themselves. This legal framework aligns with the state's commitment to ensuring that citizens act responsibly in emergency situations to safeguard lives.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment regarding SB529 appears positive among proponents who advocate for strengthening community responsibility in crisis situations. Supporters believe that enacting this law would foster a culture of assistance, potentially saving lives during emergencies. However, there are reservations voiced by some stakeholders concerned that the imposed legal obligation may lead to unintended consequences for individuals who hesitate to intervene in high-risk situations due to fear of legal repercussions.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB529 include debates on the practicality of enforcing such a law and concerns over how it may be interpreted in various scenarios. Critics argue that the ambiguity surrounding 'reasonable assistance' could lead to inconsistent applications of the law. Additionally, there is apprehension that potential misuse of the legislation could arise, discouraging bystanders from intervening during emergencies due to fear of legal consequences, thus counteracting the bill's intended purpose to enhance public safety.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2462

In obstructing governmental operations, further providing for the offense of resisting arrest or other law enforcement.

PA HB523

In obstructing governmental operations, further providing for the offense of resisting arrest or other law enforcement.

PA HB351

In obstructing governmental operations, providing for the offense of enforcement of State law.

PA HB849

In falsification and intimidation, providing for the offense of failure to comply with child abuse offender registration requirements; in sentencing, providing for registration of child abuse offenders; and imposing penalties.

PA HB1078

In other offenses, providing for the offense of failure to report death.

PA HB748

In obstructing governmental operations, providing for enforcement of State law.

PA HB224

Crimes and offenses; obstructing governmental operations, further provided

PA HB2181

In offenses against the family, providing for the offense of child torture.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB1909

In sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of rape and for the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; and, in sentencing, providing for sentencing procedure for rape of a child and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and further providing for sentences for offenses against infant persons.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.