Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB1021

Introduced
1/10/24  

Caption

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of criminal trespass; and, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of endangering welfare of children.

Impact

If enacted, SB1021 could significantly influence state laws concerning how criminal trespass is defined and prosecuted. The bill's amendments could lead to stricter penalties for offenders and provide law enforcement with additional tools to act in trespassing situations. Additionally, the focus on protecting children in the context of family welfare suggests an intent to enhance legal protections for minors against potential harm. This could have wide-ranging implications for how cases involving family safety are handled throughout the judicial system.

Summary

Senate Bill 1021 aims to amend existing laws regarding criminal trespass and offenses against the welfare of children. The bill specifically addresses provisions for criminal intrusion cases, enhancing the definitions and penalties associated with these offenses. By narrowing the focus on criminal trespass, the bill is intended to provide law enforcement with clearer guidelines and improved mechanisms for dealing with cases of trespassing that may involve children or vulnerable individuals. This proposed legislative change is framed as a step towards increasing safety and promoting responsible behavior within communities.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around SB1021 appears to be supportive, particularly among legislators advocating for stronger child welfare protections. Supporters may argue that clearer definitions and penalties for criminal trespass can help deter crime and promote public safety. However, there may be some opposition, likely concerning the implications for civil liberties and the potential for overreach in law enforcement practices. Overall, the sentiment reflects a desire for better protective measures combined with a cautious approach to criminal justice reform.

Contention

Among the notable points of contention regarding SB1021 are concerns about the balance between enhancing law enforcement capabilities and ensuring civil liberties are respected. Critics may raise issues around potential misuse of enhanced trespassing laws, which could affect the community negatively if not managed carefully. Specific debates may emerge around how these definitions are applied in practice and whether they could lead to unintended consequences for individuals based on misinterpretations of the law.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB384

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of criminal trespass.

PA HB150

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of criminal trespass.

PA HB2352

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, providing for the offense of institutional trespass.

PA HB910

In offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of dealing in infant children.

PA SB87

In criminal proceedings, further providing for other offenses.

PA HB2237

In arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of criminal mischief; in burglary and other criminal intrusion, providing for removal of trespassers from real property; in particular rights and immunities, providing for an offense and civil action relating to trespass on real property; and imposing penalties.

PA HB530

In arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of criminal mischief; in burglary and other criminal intrusion, providing for removal of trespassers from real property; in particular rights and immunities, providing for an offense and civil action relating to trespass on real property; and imposing penalties.

PA SB683

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, providing for offenses relating to critical infrastructure facilities; and imposing penalties.

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 SB819

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, providing for offenses relating to critical infrastructure facilities; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.