Foreign Law Protection Act
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation aimed at safeguarding citizens of the Commonwealth from the enactment of foreign laws within our legal framework.
 
The potential integration of foreign laws into state or local legal processes poses a serious threat to the fundamental rights of Pennsylvania residents and risks undermining the constitutional foundations of our nation. The principles articulated in both the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania State Constitution – especially the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment – underscore the necessity of a fair legal system where laws are uniformly applied in accordance with our Federal and State Constitutions. Introducing foreign laws into our legal system jeopardizes the core tenets of our judicial processes and could expose our citizens to the influences of hostile foreign governments.
 
Many foreign laws stand in stark opposition to the very fabric of the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions. These laws are not only inhumane but also barbaric, sanctioning horrific practices such as the hacking off of limbs, lashing, stoning, beheadings, and female genital mutilation. From a human and civil rights perspective, they endorse unspeakable violations including the assault of children, forced religious conversions, and the systematic deprivation of legal rights for women. Disturbingly, many of these cruel laws are upheld and practiced in countries that are frequently described as our "allies."
 
In the United States, 15 states—namely Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington—have already enacted laws that either ban or restrict the application of foreign laws in legal decisions.
 
The introduction of foreign laws and practices into our legal framework not only infringes upon the constitutional rights of Pennsylvania citizens but also sets a perilous precedent that could compromise the integrity and impartiality of our legal system.
 
I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this critical legislation. Should you have any questions regarding this bill, please do not hesitate to contact Aaron Bashir at: (abashir@pasen.gov) or Don Beishl in my office at: (dbeishl@pasen.gov)
 
Together, we can protect our Commonwealth’s legal integrity and uphold the values that define us as a nation.