PRINTER'S NO. 3555
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2528
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY WHITE, TOMLINSON, HOGAN, M. MACKENZIE,
R. MACKENZIE, KAUFFMAN, MARCELL, HEFFLEY, NEILSON, BANTA,
SMITH, STAATS, M. JONES, JOZWIAK, GILLEN AND ROWE,
AUGUST 12, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, AUGUST 12, 2024
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2 Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
3 related offenses, providing for the offense of looting.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
7 Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
8 § 5518. Looting.
9 (a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of
10 looting if the person, during or immediately following a natural
11 disaster, lawful protest or gathering to demonstrate civil
12 disobedience, commits any of the following offenses:
13 (1) Burglary as defined in section 3502(a) (relating to
14 burglary).
15 (2) Retail theft as defined in section 3929(a) (relating
16 to retail theft).
17 (3) Organized retail theft as defined in section
 1 3929.3(a) (relating to organized retail theft).
2 (b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) shall be
3 classified as a felony of the second degree.
4 (c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
5 words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
6 subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
7 "Natural disaster." A hurricane, tornado, storm, flood,
8 high-water situation, wind-driven water situation, tidal wave,
9 earthquake, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire,
10 explosion or other catastrophe that results in damage to
11 property, hardship, suffering or possible loss of life.
12 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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