PRINTER'S NO. 1500
No. 1283 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY JOSEPHS, APRIL 4, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, APRIL 4, 2001
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2 Consolidated Statutes, prohibiting official intimidation.
3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4 hereby enacts as follows:
5 Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
6 Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
7 § 5304. Official intimidation.
8 (a) Offense defined.--An elected official commits a
9 misdemeanor of the second degree if he communicates, either
10 directly or indirectly, to a public citizen a threat to inflict
11 physical or financial harm to the citizen, his property or his
12 reputation.
13 (b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
14 words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
15 subsection:
16 "Communicates." To convey in person or by written or
17 electronic means, including telephone, electronic mail,
1 Internet, facsimile, telex and similar transmissions.
2 "Elected official." This term includes the Governor, the
3 Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the Auditor General, a
4 Senator or a member of the House of Representatives.
5 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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