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Bill

HB 294

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for whistleblower protection and further providing for nonapplicability of subchapter.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ryan Bizzarro and 21 co-sponsors

HB 294 adds whistleblower protections to Pennsylvania's riot and disorderly conduct statutes, shielding individuals reporting crimes from prosecution under these offenses.

Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 294

Legislative bill overview

HB 294 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code regarding riot and disorderly conduct offenses to add whistleblower protections. The bill appears designed to shield individuals who report illegal activities from being prosecuted under riot or disorderly conduct statutes, though the specific scope and mechanism of protection are not detailed in the bill summary provided.

Why is this important

Whistleblower protections affect how people can safely report misconduct—whether by law enforcement, employers, or others—without fear of criminal retaliation. This directly impacts public accountability and transparency, as individuals may be more willing to expose wrongdoing if legal protections exist. The placement within riot and disorderly conduct statutes suggests it may address concerns about protesters or demonstrators being criminalized for reporting unlawful conduct.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The bill's exact definition of protected whistleblowing activity and which offenses trigger protection is unclear from the summary, raising questions about scope and enforceability
  • Riot statute implications: Adding exceptions to riot statutes could complicate prosecution of actual violent disorder while supporters argue it prevents chilling effects on legitimate reporting
  • Burden of proof: Disputes may arise over who determines whether an action qualifies as protected whistleblowing and at what stage in the legal process this determination occurs

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

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