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Bill

HB 1465

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of false reports of child abuse.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Russ Diamond and 6 co-sponsors

HB 1465 modifies Pennsylvania criminal law to adjust penalties or procedures for falsely reporting child abuse, balancing deterrence against false accusations with protection of legitimate reporting.

Referred to Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1465

Legislative bill overview

HB 1465 modifies Pennsylvania's criminal law regarding false reports of child abuse under Title 18. The bill appears to adjust penalties, definitions, or procedures related to making knowingly false allegations of child abuse to authorities.

Why is this important

False abuse reports can have serious consequences—they waste law enforcement resources, traumatize wrongly accused individuals and their families, and can undermine legitimate child protection efforts. Clarifying criminal penalties for false reporting helps balance protecting genuine victims while deterring malicious accusations.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining "false reports": Determining whether a report is genuinely false versus unproven requires careful legal standards to avoid discouraging legitimate reports from confused or mistaken witnesses
  • Chilling effect concerns: Advocates worry stricter penalties might discourage people from reporting suspected abuse if they fear legal consequences for reports that don't result in prosecution
  • Burden of proof: Questions about who bears responsibility for proving falsity—the accuser, the state, or the accused—and at what legal threshold

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

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