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HB 2437

An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in unconventional gas well fee, further providing for Statewide initiatives.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nate Davidson and 10 co-sponsors

Strengthen protections for stalking, domestic/sexual violence, and victims by updating penalties, definitions, custody considerations, and victim address confidentiality.

Referred to Transportation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2437

HB 2437 – Summary (Pennsylvania, 2017-2018 Regular Session; affects Titles 18 and 23)

Note: The user’s prompt references HB 2437 from the 2017-2018 session and asks for a comprehensive, accessible summary of the bill’s purpose, provisions, affected parties, and procedural/timeline aspects. The provided material shows the bill’s title and general scope related to assault/stalking, wiretapping definitions, child custody considerations, victim address confidentiality, and sentencing for second/subsequent offenses. The action history indicates Senate referral and final House votes in 2018, with later references to 2026 in the prompt’s metadata. This summary covers the substantive content as described in the bill’s title and history.

1) Main purpose and intent
- The bill is framed as a package of updates to strengthen protections related to stalking, domestic and sexual violence, and related criminal and family-law consequences.
- It aims to enhance penalties and definitions in several areas (stalking, wiretapping/electronic surveillance) and to refine considerations in child custody and victim confidentiality provisions.
- It also seeks to address sentencing for second and subsequent offenses, potentially increasing penalties where prior offenses exist.

2) Key provisions and changes

A. Stalking (in Title 18 – Crimes and Offenses)
- The bill would provide additional or clarified definitions and penalties for stalking, potentially expanding offenses or enhancing punishments for stalking incidents.

B. Wiretapping and electronic surveillance (in Title 18)
- The bill would update definitions related to wiretapping and electronic surveillance, potentially broadening or refining what constitutes illegal interception and related activities.

C. Child custody (in Title 23 – Domestic Relations)
- The bill would provide for considerations of criminal convictions when determining child custody arrangements, potentially giving weight to a parent's criminal history in custody decisions.

D. Domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality (in Title 23)
- The bill would strengthen penalties related to victim address confidentiality protections, aiming to improve safety and privacy for victims of domestic or sexual violence.

E. Sentencing (in Title 18 or related sections)
- The bill would address sentences for second and subsequent offenses, potentially increasing penalties for repeat offenders in the relevant crimes (e.g., stalking or related offenses).

3) Who or what would be affected

  • Individuals accused or convicted of stalking or related offenses.
  • Victims of domestic and sexual violence who rely on address confidentiality protections.
  • Parents and guardians involved in child custody disputes where criminal convictions are in question.
  • Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts, which would apply updated definitions, penalties, and custody considerations.
  • The overall criminal justice system, due to potential changes in sentencing for repeat offenders.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and sponsors: The measure had a broad set of sponsors (House members from both parties) and was positioned as a “Strangulation Legislation” package addressing related violent-crime concerns.
  • House action: Referred to Judiciary in May 2018; reported as committed in September 2018; first consideration on Sept. 25, 2018.
  • Amendments and re-reporting: The bill underwent House amendments (October 9-10, 2018) and was re-reported as committed, advancing to third consideration.
  • Final action: Third consideration and final passage occurred on Oct. 10, 2018, with a 193–0 vote in the House.
  • Senate action: Referred to Judiciary in the Senate (Oct. 12, 2018). There is no final Senate action listed in the provided material; the current status would require updated records to determine if it became law or stalled.
  • Fiscal/appropriations: An Appropriations committee re-report occurred in October 2018, indicating potential fiscal implications were considered.

Notes for readers
- The bill’s language would specify exact statutory changes (definitions, penalties, and confidentiality provisions) in the actual text, which is not reproduced here. For precise drafting changes, consult the HB 2437 PN 4197 bill text and any amendments.
- The 2018 legislative activity suggests strong approval in the House; attentive readers should verify whether the bill advanced to the Senate and whether it was enacted into law or subsequently amended or tabled in later sessions.

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

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