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HB 1363

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of assault of emergency responder.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Bernstine and 10 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill creating new criminal offense for assaults against emergency responders like firefighters, paramedics, and police officers during duty.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1363

Legislative bill overview

HB 1363 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania law specifically targeting assaults committed against emergency responders. The bill amends Title 18 of the state's criminal code to establish enhanced protections and potentially distinct penalties for individuals who assault firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and other emergency personnel while they are performing their duties.

Why is this important

Assaults on emergency responders have increased in recent years across the United States, creating safety concerns for these workers. This legislation would provide legal recognition of the particular vulnerability and importance of protecting those who respond to emergencies, potentially including enhanced sentencing or specific criminal designation for such offenses.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Questions about which workers qualify as "emergency responders" and whether coverage should extend beyond traditional first responders (police, fire, EMS) to include hospital workers, security personnel, or mental health crisis responders
  • Penalty enhancement justification: Debate over whether creating a separate offense is necessary or if existing assault statutes with sentence enhancements would be more efficient and avoid legal challenges
  • Self-defense and proportionality: Concerns about how the law would apply to situations involving resistant patients, mental health crises, or disputes over appropriate force, and whether it could chill legitimate self-defense claims

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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