PRINTER'S NO. 204
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
234
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY GROVE, STAATS, READSHAW, SAYLOR, SIMMONS, STRUZZI
AND KORTZ, JANUARY 28, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 28, 2019
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in other offenses, providing for the
offense of duty to assist.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 7518. Duty to assist.
(a) Offense defined.--To the extent that a person can do so
without danger to themselves or others, a person commits a
summary offense if that person knowingly fails to give
reasonable assistance to another person exposed to or suffering
from serious bodily injury at the scene of an emergency.
(b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Reasonable assistance." The term shall include direct aid
or the obtaining or attempt to obtain aid from law enforcement
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or emergency medical personnel.
"Scene of an emergency." The term shall include an area
threatened by exposure or exposed to a natural or man-made
catastrophe or an occurrence where a person has suffered a life-
threatening event.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20190HB0234PN0204 - 2 -
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