Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB416

Introduced
3/14/23  
Refer
3/14/23  
Refer
4/29/24  
Report Pass
4/30/24  
Engrossed
4/30/24  
Refer
5/17/24  

Caption

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

Impact

The implications of HB 416 are significant for state laws surrounding personal privacy and protection against stalking. It will enhance the legal framework governing the unauthorized use of tracking devices, providing victims with recourse against offenders who engage in such activities without consent. The amendment to the stalking statute aims to strengthen protections for individuals who may be subject to stalking behaviors, ensuring a clearer legal definition and framework for prosecution.

Summary

House Bill 416 aims to amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by introducing provisions for unauthorized location tracking and further clarifying the existing statute on stalking. The bill specifically defines unauthorized location tracking as the use of technological devices to monitor another person's location without their consent. If enacted, this would establish it as a third-degree misdemeanor, marking a significant step in addressing privacy concerns related to technological surveillance.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 416 appears largely supportive among advocates for privacy and victims' rights. Proponents argue that it will add essential protections against new technological threats and enhance the state's ability to address stalking comprehensively. However, there may be concerns about how this could affect legitimate uses of tracking technologies, such as those employed by businesses or parents monitoring their children.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balance between privacy rights and legitimate uses of tracking technology. Critics may argue that stringent regulations could hamper lawful monitoring activities or lead to unnecessary legal repercussions for individuals whose intentions are benign. The debate may also highlight discussions on how to enforce these provisions effectively without infringing on the rights of responsible technology users.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB407

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB2584

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB2586

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB2587

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB1324

In assault, providing for the offense of bullying.

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 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 SB494

In sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of statutory sexual assault.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.