SB 1271 | New felony offense for false, deceptive or misleading names

Session: 2023-2024

ACLU-PA Position: Opposes

SB 1271 (PN 1757) would amend Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) to create a third-degree felony offense to prohibit entities from using false, deceptive, or misleading names that suggest a connection to or endorsement by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or its municipalities, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and $15,000 in fines.

Not only is it unclear what problem the bill is attempting to address, criminalizing this activity by imposing a third-degree felony penalty is unnecessary and wildly excessive.

Check the bill's status here.