PRINTER'S NO. 4006
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2645
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY CONKLIN AND MURT, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing
for the offense of institutional sexual assault.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3124.2 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subsection to read:
ยง 3124.2. Institutional sexual assault.
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(a.4) Religious organization.--
(1) Except as provided in sections 3121, 3122.1, 3123,
3124.1 and 3125, a person who is a volunteer or an employee
of a religious organization or a person who has direct
contact with children at a place of worship commits a felony
of the third degree if the person engages in sexual
intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact
with a child.
(2) As used in this subsection, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
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paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Direct contact with children." The care, supervision,
guidance, control and routine interaction with children.
"Employee." The following apply:
(i) The term includes:
(A) A clergyman, priest, deacon, kohein, rabbi,
minister, Christian Science practitioner, religious
healer or spiritual leader of a regularly established
church or other religious organization.
(B) A custodian, secretary, religious education
teacher or other paid support staff of a religious
organization.
(C) An independent contractor who has a contract
with a religious organization for the purpose of
performing a service at a place of worship and who
has direct contact with children.
(ii) The term does not include an independent
contractor or an employee of an independent contractor
who has no direct contact with children at a place of
worship.
"Place of worship." A church, synagogue or other
facility or place used for religious worship or other
religious purposes.
"Routine interaction." Regular and repeated contact that
is integral to a person's employment or volunteer
responsibilities.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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