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Bill

HB 2292

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, further providing for obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 17 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill amends obstruction of governmental operations statute, potentially broadening definitions and/or penalties for interfering with law administration and government functions.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2292

Legislative bill overview

HB 2292 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to modify or expand the definition and penalties related to obstructing the administration of law or other governmental functions. The bill specifically targets conduct that interferes with governmental operations, though the exact nature of the amendments is not detailed in the provided information.

Why is this important

Obstruction statutes are foundational to law enforcement and governmental effectiveness, as they address conduct that prevents officials from performing their duties. Changes to these provisions can significantly affect what conduct is criminalized, who can be prosecuted, and what penalties apply—with implications for both public safety and civil liberties protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "obstruction" definition: Clarifying what constitutes illegal obstruction versus protected First Amendment activity (protest, advocacy, dissent) is often contentious, as overly broad language could criminalize legitimate political participation
  • Penalty severity: Whether amended penalties are proportionate to the conduct, and whether increases disproportionately affect certain communities or protest movements
  • Governmental function breadth: How broadly "governmental function" is defined could determine whether routine interactions with government employees are potentially criminalized

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

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