PRINTER'S NO. 1887

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No. 1541 Session of 2001

        INTRODUCED BY GANNON, M. BAKER, BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI,
           CASORIO, L. I. COHEN, CORRIGAN, CREIGHTON, DALEY, DALLY,
           DeLUCA, FAIRCHILD, FLICK, GABIG, GEIST, GEORGE, HALUSKA,
           HERMAN, HORSEY, JAMES, KIRKLAND, McCALL, MELIO, PRESTON,
           READSHAW, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SCRIMENTI, SOLOBAY, STABACK,
           STEELMAN, STERN, WATSON, C. WILLIAMS, WILT, WOGAN AND
           YOUNGBLOOD, MAY 8, 2001

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 8, 2001

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
     2     Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for
     3     jurisdiction and venue.

     4     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     5  hereby enacts as follows:
     6     Section 1.  Section 1515(a)(3) of Title 42 of the
     7  Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
     8  § 1515.  Jurisdiction and venue.
     9     (a)  Jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general
    10  rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment
    11  of matters), district justices shall, under procedures
    12  prescribed by general rule, have jurisdiction of all of the
    13  following matters:
    14         * * *
    15         (3)  Civil claims, except claims against a Commonwealth
    16     party as defined by section 8501 (relating to definitions),

     1     wherein the sum demanded does not exceed [$8,000] $15,000,
     2     exclusive of interest and costs, in the following classes of
     3     actions:
     4             (i)  In assumpsit, except cases of real contract
     5         where the title to real estate may be in question.
     6             (ii)  In trespass, including all forms of trespass
     7         and trespass on the case.
     8             (iii)  For fines and penalties by any government
     9         agency.
    10     A plaintiff may waive a portion of his claim of more than
    11     [$8,000] $15,000 so as to bring the matter within the
    12     monetary jurisdiction of a district justice. Such waiver
    13     shall be revoked automatically if the defendant appeals the
    14     final order of the district justice or when the judgment is
    15     set aside upon certiorari.
    16         * * *
    17     Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.









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