PA
Pennsylvania House Bill HB1236

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1236

Introduced
4/17/25  

Caption

In assault, further providing for the offense of assault of law enforcement officer; and making editorial changes.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1236 would restructure existing statutes pertaining to the assault of law enforcement officers, elevating certain acts of violence against these individuals to a first-degree felony. This amendment proposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years for various offenses, a significant shift from current sentencing practices. The intent behind the bill is to deter assaults on law enforcement personnel by reinforcing the legal consequences of such actions, thus potentially impacting the broader legal landscape concerning public safety and law enforcement accountability in Pennsylvania.

Summary

House Bill 1236 proposes amendments to Pennsylvania's laws regarding assault, particularly focusing on offenses committed against law enforcement officers and hospital security personnel. The bill aims to strengthen penalties for those who assault or attempt to harm these individuals, classifying such acts as felonies of varying degrees depending on the severity of the offense. This legislative measure highlights a commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of those who serve in public safety positions. The changes proposed in this bill reflect a broader trend towards increasing accountability for violent acts against law enforcement members, responding to national conversations surrounding crime and policing.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1236 appears to be supportive among lawmakers advocating for enhanced protections for law enforcement officers. Proponents argue that this bill not only reflects a necessary response to rising violence against officers but also reinforces the respect and legitimacy of law enforcement duties. However, some concerns may arise regarding the implications of mandatory minimum sentencing laws and their potential effects on overcrowding in prisons, as well as debates on the balance between public safety and overreach in law enforcement powers.

Contention

Notable points of contention may center around the nature of mandatory sentencing laws introduced in HB 1236. Opponents may argue that such measures strip judges of the discretion needed to appropriately consider individual cases, potentially leading to unfair sentencing outcomes. Furthermore, critics of the bill may express concerns over an increase in aggressive policing tactics as a response to broader punitive measures against those committing crimes against officers. As such, the discussions around this bill could draw attention to the complex dynamics of public safety, community relations, and the evolving perceptions of law enforcement.

Latest PA HB1236 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session HB1236

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2170

In assault, further providing for assault of law enforcement officer; and making editorial changes.

PA HB2214

In assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault and for the offense of assault of law enforcement officer.

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 HB28

In assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault.

PA HB736

In assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and making an editorial change.

PA HB416

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB1119

In assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and making an editorial change.

PA SB771

In assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and making an editorial change.

PA SB63

In assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and making an editorial change.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.