SB 819 | New offenses for critical infrastructure violations

Session: 2023-2024

ACLU-PA Position: Opposes

SB 819 (PN 928) would create a new offense under Title 18 with several suboffenses to penalize critical infrastructure trespassing and critical infrastructure vandalism as third-degree misdemeanors or third-degree felonies, depending on the circumstances.

The new offenses proposed under SB 819 are unnecessary and duplicative, as violations against critical infrastructure facilities are already covered under PA’s existing criminal trespass and vandalism statutes. Furthermore, the grading schemes proposed under the bill create mandatory minimum fines and depart from standard statutory grading penalties for the new offenses it creates.

Check the bill's status here.