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        PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1887, 2031               PRINTER'S NO. 2259

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

        AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
           JUNE 18, 2001

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
     2     Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for
     3     jurisdiction and venue AND FOR THE LIMITATION OF TIME FOR      <--
     4     CERTAIN MAJOR CRIMINAL OFFENSES.

     5     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     6  hereby enacts as follows:
     7     Section 1.  Section 1515(a)(3) of Title 42 of the              <--
     8  Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
     9     SECTION 1.  SECTIONS 1515(A)(3) AND 5552(B) OF TITLE 42 OF     <--
    10  THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES ARE AMENDED TO READ:
    11  § 1515.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    12     (a)  Jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general
    13  rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment
    14  of matters), district justices shall, under procedures
    15  prescribed by general rule, have jurisdiction of all of the
    16  following matters:

     1         * * *
     2         (3)  Civil claims, except claims against a Commonwealth
     3     party as defined by section 8501 (relating to definitions),
     4     wherein the sum demanded does not exceed [$8,000] $12,000,
     5     exclusive of interest and costs, in the following classes of
     6     actions:
     7             (i)  In assumpsit, except cases of real contract
     8         where the title to real estate may be in question.
     9             (ii)  In trespass, including all forms of trespass
    10         and trespass on the case.
    11             (iii)  For fines and penalties by any government
    12         agency.
    13     A plaintiff may waive a portion of his claim of more than
    14     [$8,000] $12,000 so as to bring the matter within the
    15     monetary jurisdiction of a district justice. Such waiver
    16     shall be revoked automatically if the defendant appeals the
    17     final order of the district justice or when the judgment is
    18     set aside upon certiorari.
    19         * * *
    20  § 5552.  OTHER OFFENSES.                                          <--
    21     * * *
    22     (B)  MAJOR OFFENSES.--A PROSECUTION FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
    23  OFFENSES MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN FIVE YEARS AFTER IT IS
    24  COMMITTED:
    25         (1)  UNDER THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS OF TITLE 18 (RELATING
    26     TO CRIMES AND OFFENSES):
    27             SECTION 911 (RELATING TO CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS).
    28             SECTION 2702 (RELATING TO AGGRAVATED ASSAULT).
    29             SECTION 2706 (RELATING TO TERRORISTIC THREATS).
    30             SECTION 2713 (RELATING TO NEGLECT OF CARE-DEPENDENT
    20010H1541B2259                  - 2 -

     1         PERSON).
     2             SECTION 2901 (RELATING TO KIDNAPPING).
     3             SECTION 3121 (RELATING TO RAPE).
     4             SECTION 3122.1 (RELATING TO STATUTORY SEXUAL
     5         ASSAULT).
     6             SECTION 3123 (RELATING TO INVOLUNTARY DEVIATE SEXUAL
     7         INTERCOURSE).
     8             SECTION 3124.1 (RELATING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT).
     9             SECTION 3125 (RELATING TO AGGRAVATED INDECENT
    10         ASSAULT).
    11             SECTION 3301 (RELATING TO ARSON AND RELATED
    12         OFFENSES).
    13             SECTION 3502 (RELATING TO BURGLARY).
    14             SECTION 3701 (RELATING TO ROBBERY).
    15             SECTION 3921 (RELATING TO THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR
    16         DISPOSITION) THROUGH SECTION 3933 (RELATING TO UNLAWFUL
    17         USE OF COMPUTER).
    18             SECTION 4101 (RELATING TO FORGERY).
    19             SECTION 4107 (RELATING TO DECEPTIVE OR FRAUDULENT
    20         BUSINESS PRACTICES).
    21             SECTION 4108 (RELATING TO COMMERCIAL BRIBERY AND
    22         BREACH OF DUTY TO ACT DISINTERESTEDLY).
    23             SECTION 4109 (RELATING TO RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED
    24         CONTEST).
    25             SECTION 4117 (RELATING TO INSURANCE FRAUD).
    26             SECTION 4302 (RELATING TO INCEST).
    27             SECTION 4701 (RELATING TO BRIBERY IN OFFICIAL AND
    28         POLITICAL MATTERS) THROUGH SECTION 4703 (RELATING TO
    29         RETALIATION FOR PAST OFFICIAL ACTION).
    30             SECTION 4902 (RELATING TO PERJURY) THROUGH SECTION
    20010H1541B2259                  - 3 -

     1         4912 (RELATING TO IMPERSONATING A PUBLIC SERVANT).
     2             SECTION 4952 (RELATING TO INTIMIDATION OF WITNESSES
     3         OR VICTIMS).
     4             SECTION 4953 (RELATING TO RETALIATION AGAINST WITNESS
     5         OR VICTIM).
     6             SECTION 5101 (RELATING TO OBSTRUCTING ADMINISTRATION
     7         OF LAW OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION).
     8             SECTION 5111 (RELATING TO DEALING IN PROCEEDS OF
     9         UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES).
    10             SECTION 5512 (RELATING TO LOTTERIES, ETC.) THROUGH
    11         SECTION 5514 (RELATING TO POOL SELLING AND BOOKMAKING).
    12             SECTION 5902(B) (RELATING TO PROSTITUTION AND RELATED
    13         OFFENSES).
    14             SECTION 6312 (RELATING TO SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN).
    15         (2)  ANY OFFENSE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 13(F) OF THE
    16     ACT OF APRIL 14, 1972 (P.L.233, NO.64), KNOWN AS THE
    17     CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, DRUG, DEVICE AND COSMETIC ACT.
    18         (3)  ANY CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ANY OF THE OFFENSES SET
    19     FORTH IN PARAGRAPHS (1) AND (2) AND ANY SOLICITATION TO
    20     COMMIT ANY OF THE OFFENSES IN PARAGRAPHS (1) AND (2) IF THE
    21     SOLICITATION RESULTS IN THE COMPLETED OFFENSE.
    22         (4)  UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 13, 1967 (P.L.31, NO.21),
    23     KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC WELFARE CODE.
    24         (5)  UNDER THE ACT OF NOVEMBER 24, 1998 (P.L.874,
    25     NO.110), KNOWN AS THE MOTOR VEHICLE CHOP SHOP AND ILLEGALLY
    26     OBTAINED AND ALTERED PROPERTY ACT.
    27     * * *
    28     Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.


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