The bill amends Section 2706 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which pertains to the offense of terroristic threats. It redefines the penalties associated with such threats, specifically removing the previous requirement for restitution and replacing it with a mandate for convicted individuals to pay for the costs incurred during the response to the threat. This includes expenses related to emergency services, unused food due to evacuations, and wages for employees involved in the response. The bill also clarifies the definitions of "communicates," "institution of higher education," and "school entity," ensuring that these terms encompass a broad range of educational institutions and communication methods.

Additionally, the grading of the offense is modified, establishing that a terroristic threat will generally be classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree, but will escalate to a felony of the third degree if it disrupts normal operations of a building or specifically targets a school entity or institution of higher education. This change aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding terroristic threats, emphasizing the seriousness of such actions, particularly in educational settings. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 51 (Jan 22, 2025): 18-2706
Printer's No. 0051: 18-2706