The bill amends Section 5551 of Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which pertains to the limitation of time for prosecuting certain offenses. It establishes that there is no time limit for prosecuting specific serious crimes, including murder, voluntary manslaughter, and various sexual offenses against minors and nonverbal care-dependent individuals. The bill adds new provisions that allow for the prosecution of offenses related to simple assault, neglect, and abuse of care-dependent persons, as well as other serious crimes if the victim is a nonverbal care-dependent person at the time of the offense.

Additionally, the bill defines "nonverbal care-dependent person" to include individuals aged 18 and older who require assistance due to physical or cognitive disabilities. This amendment aims to ensure that serious crimes against vulnerable populations are prosecuted without the constraints of a statute of limitations, thereby enhancing legal protections for victims. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 838 (Mar 05, 2025): 42-5551
Printer's No. 0838: 42-5551