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Bill

HB 1352

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, further providing for the offense of unlawful contact with minor.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Bernstine and 14 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill modifies criminal penalties for unlawful contact with minors, strengthening child protection laws through expanded statutory definitions and enforcement mechanisms.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1352

Legislative bill overview

HB 1352 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code regarding offenses involving minors, specifically modifying the "unlawful contact with minor" statute. The bill appears designed to strengthen protections for children by expanding or clarifying what constitutes criminal contact with minors, though the specific amendments are not detailed in the available information.

Why is this important

Laws governing contact with minors are foundational to child protection frameworks. Any modifications to these statutes directly affect how law enforcement prosecutes cases involving child safety and can influence sentencing outcomes. These changes also reflect evolving legal standards around what behaviors constitute criminal conduct toward vulnerable populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: Depending on how "unlawful contact" is redefined, there may be debate over whether the language is sufficiently clear to avoid prosecuting innocent behavior or creating unintended consequences
  • Enforcement scope: Expansion of what qualifies as illegal contact could affect teachers, social workers, and youth-serving professionals if definitional boundaries aren't precise
  • Due process concerns: Amendments affecting minor-related offenses often raise questions about adequate notice of prohibited conduct and proportionality of penalties

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

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