Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB2586

Introduced
10/9/24  

Caption

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

Impact

The proposed changes in HB 2586 would significantly impact how stalking cases are prosecuted in the state. By clarifying what constitutes stalking and establishing stricter enforcement mechanisms, the bill could lead to increased reporting of such incidents and more robust legal actions against offenders. This could empower victims to seek redress and foster a more responsive criminal justice system that prioritizes victim safety and relevant legal recourse.

Summary

House Bill 2586 seeks to amend existing legislation concerning stalking offenses, further defining the parameters and enhancing the legal framework surrounding this serious crime. The bill aims to expand the definition of stalking to include more nuanced behaviors that may not have been covered in previous statutes. This update intends to provide clearer guidance for law enforcement and the judiciary when addressing stalking incidents, ultimately leading to greater protection for victims.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment around HB 2586 appears favorable among legislators and advocacy groups focused on victim rights. Supporters argue that the bill addresses a critical gap in existing laws, providing necessary protections for individuals who may be experiencing stalking in various forms. However, there are concerns regarding the potential for overreach and the implications of broadening the definition of stalking, which could lead to unintended consequences for both victims and the accused.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2586 include debates about how broadly to define stalking and the potential impact on civil liberties. Critics argue that an overly expansive definition could lead to false accusations and unintended legal ramifications for individuals who may not warrant prosecution under traditional definitions. This raises important questions about the balance between enhancing victim protections and ensuring that the rights of the accused are upheld. The discourse surrounding these tensions reflects ongoing national conversations about criminal justice reform and the protection of individual rights.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB407

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB416

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB2587

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB2584

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB1069

In assault, further providing for the offense of assault by prisoner, for the offense of aggravated harassment by prisoner and for the offense of assault by life prisoner.

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 SB975

In assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats.

PA SB96

In assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats.

PA HB2163

In other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

PA HB57

In other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.