PRINTER'S NO. 408
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.436
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY McNEILL, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, GUENST, STEELE,
HOWARD, SCHLOSSBERG, GIRAL, SANCHEZ, HOHENSTEIN AND CERRATO,
JANUARY 31, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
JANUARY 31, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, further providing for prohibition of
ownership of certain animals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5555 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
ยง 5555. Prohibition of ownership.
(a) Ownership.--Notwithstanding any provision of law and in
addition to any other penalty provided by law, the authority
imposing sentence upon a conviction for a violation of this
subchapter [may] shall order the prohibition [ or limitation] of
the defendant's ownership, possession, control or custody of
animals or employment with the care of animals for a period of
[time not to exceed the statutory maximum term of imprisonment
applicable to the offense for which sentence is being imposed ]
no less than two years . A humane society police officer, law
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18 enforcement officer or State dog warden shall have authority to
ensure compliance with this section and may notify the local
district attorney who may petition the court to remove animals
kept in violation of this section.
(b) Violence prevention counseling required.--
(1) An order issued under subsection (a) shall require
the defendant to attend and complete violence prevention
counseling, which attendance and completion must be proven to
the authority imposing the sentence through a signed and
dated written acknowledgment.
(2) For a second or subsequent violation of this
subchapter, the authority imposing the sentence shall require
further violence prevention counseling, which must be
satisfactorily completed and documented each time and
provided to the authority imposing the sentence.
(c) Offense defined.--An individual subject to this section
commits an offense if the individual:
(1) Fails to attend and complete violence prevention
counseling as ordered by the authority imposing the sentence.
(2) Possesses, owns, controls, has custody of or is
employed with the care of an animal while the order remains
in effect.
(d) Grading.--
(1) A violation of subsection (c)(2) shall constitute a
misdemeanor of the third degree and, upon conviction, shall
result in a prohibition extension of at least one year.
(2) A second violation of subsection (c)(2) shall
constitute a misdemeanor of the second degree and, upon
conviction, shall result in a prohibition extension of at
least five years.
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30 (3) A third or subsequent violation of subsection (c)(2)
shall constitute a misdemeanor of the first degree and, upon
conviction, shall result in a prohibition extension of at
least 10 years.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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