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                                 SENATE AMENDED
        PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1887, 2031, 2259         PRINTER'S NO. 2633

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

        SENATOR GREENLEAF, JUDICIARY, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER
            15, 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.  Sections 1515(a)(3) and 5552(b) of Title 42 of     <--
     8  the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
     9  § 1515.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    10     (a)  Jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general
    11  rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment
    12  of matters), district justices shall, under procedures
    13  prescribed by general rule, have jurisdiction of all of the
    14  following matters:
    15         * * *


     1         (3)  Civil claims, except claims against a Commonwealth
     2     party as defined by section 8501 (relating to definitions),
     3     wherein the sum demanded does not exceed [$8,000] $12,000,
     4     exclusive of interest and costs, in the following classes of
     5     actions:
     6             (i)  In assumpsit, except cases of real contract
     7         where the title to real estate may be in question.
     8             (ii)  In trespass, including all forms of trespass
     9         and trespass on the case.
    10             (iii)  For fines and penalties by any government
    11         agency.
    12     A plaintiff may waive a portion of his claim of more than
    13     [$8,000] $12,000 so as to bring the matter within the
    14     monetary jurisdiction of a district justice. Such waiver
    15     shall be revoked automatically if the defendant appeals the
    16     final order of the district justice or when the judgment is
    17     set aside upon certiorari.
    18         * * *
    19     SECTION 1.  SECTION 5552(B) OF TITLE 42 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA    <--
    20  CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED TO READ:
    21  § 5552.  Other offenses.
    22     * * *
    23     (b)  Major offenses.--A prosecution for any of the following
    24  offenses must be commenced within five years after it is
    25  committed:
    26         (1)  Under the following provisions of Title 18 (relating
    27     to crimes and offenses):
    28             Section 911 (relating to corrupt organizations).
    29             Section 2702 (relating to aggravated assault).
    30             Section 2706 (relating to terroristic threats).
    20010H1541B2633                  - 2 -

     1             Section 2713 (relating to neglect of care-dependent
     2         person).
     3             Section 2901 (relating to kidnapping).
     4             Section 3121 (relating to rape).
     5             Section 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual
     6         assault).
     7             Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual
     8         intercourse).
     9             Section 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault).
    10             Section 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent
    11         assault).
    12             Section 3301 (relating to arson and related
    13         offenses).
    14             Section 3502 (relating to burglary).
    15             Section 3701 (relating to robbery).
    16             Section 3921 (relating to theft by unlawful taking or
    17         disposition) through section 3933 (relating to unlawful
    18         use of computer).
    19             Section 4101 (relating to forgery).
    20             Section 4107 (relating to deceptive or fraudulent
    21         business practices).
    22             Section 4108 (relating to commercial bribery and
    23         breach of duty to act disinterestedly).
    24             Section 4109 (relating to rigging publicly exhibited
    25         contest).
    26             Section 4117 (relating to insurance fraud).
    27             Section 4302 (relating to incest).
    28             Section 4701 (relating to bribery in official and
    29         political matters) through section 4703 (relating to
    30         retaliation for past official action).
    20010H1541B2633                  - 3 -

     1             Section 4902 (relating to perjury) through section
     2         4912 (relating to impersonating a public servant).
     3             Section 4952 (relating to intimidation of witnesses
     4         or victims).
     5             Section 4953 (relating to retaliation against witness
     6         or victim).
     7             Section 5101 (relating to obstructing administration
     8         of law or other governmental function).
     9             Section 5111 (relating to dealing in proceeds of
    10         unlawful activities).
    11             Section 5512 (relating to lotteries, etc.) through
    12         section 5514 (relating to pool selling and bookmaking).
    13             Section 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related
    14         offenses).
    15             Section 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children).
    16         (2)  Any offense punishable under section 13(f) of the
    17     act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The
    18     Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
    19         (3)  Any conspiracy to commit any of the offenses set
    20     forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) and any solicitation to
    21     commit any of the offenses in paragraphs (1) and (2) if the
    22     solicitation results in the completed offense.
    23         (4)  Under the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21),
    24     known as the Public Welfare Code.
    25         (5)  Under the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.874,
    26     No.110), known as the Motor Vehicle Chop Shop and Illegally
    27     Obtained and Altered Property Act.
    28     * * *
    29     Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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