PRINTER'S NO. 501
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
530
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY McNEILL, HILL-EVANS, CIRESI, DELLOSO, HOHENSTEIN,
ISAACSON, MADDEN, HANBIDGE, PROBST, HADDOCK, KINSEY,
SCHLOSSBERG, SANCHEZ, HOWARD, D. WILLIAMS, FLEMING, NEILSON,
SHUSTERMAN, DEASY, KIM, FREEMAN, O'MARA AND WEBSTER,
MARCH 17, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 17, 2023
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, further providing for prohibition of
ownership of certain animals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5555 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
ยง 5555. Prohibition of ownership.
(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any provision of law and
in addition to any other penalty provided by law, the authority
imposing sentence upon a conviction for a violation of this
subchapter [may] shall order the prohibition [or limitation] of
the defendant's ownership, possession, control or custody of
animals or employment with the care of animals for a period of
[time not to exceed the statutory maximum term of imprisonment
applicable to the offense for which sentence is being imposed]
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no less than two years. A humane society police officer, law
enforcement officer or State dog warden shall have authority to
ensure compliance with this section and may notify the local
district attorney who may petition the court to remove animals
kept in violation of this section.
(b) Violence prevention counseling required.--
(1) An order issued under subsection (a) shall require
the defendant to attend and complete violence prevention
counseling, which attendance and completion must be proven to
the authority imposing the sentence through a signed and
dated written acknowledgment.
(2) For a second or subsequent violation of this
subchapter, the authority shall require further violence
prevention counseling, which must be satisfactorily completed
and documented each time and provided to the authority
imposing the sentence.
(c) Offense defined.--An individual subject to this section
commits an offense if the individual:
(1) Fails to attend and complete violence prevention
counseling as ordered by the authority.
(2) Possesses, owns, controls, has custody of or is
employed with the care of an animal while the order remains
in effect.
(d) Grading.--
(1) A violation of subsection (c)(2) shall constitute a
misdemeanor of the third degree and, upon conviction, shall
result in a prohibition extension of at least one year.
(2) A second violation of subsection (c)(2) shall
constitute a misdemeanor of the second degree and, upon
conviction, shall result in a prohibition extension of at
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least five years.
(3) A third or subsequent violation of subsection (c)(2)
shall constitute a misdemeanor of the first degree and, upon
conviction, shall result in a prohibition extension of at
least 10 years.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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