The bill amends Section 2709.1(a) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which pertains to the offense of stalking. The key changes involve the clarification of the criteria under which a person can be charged with stalking. Specifically, the language has been revised to remove the requirement that the actions must demonstrate an intent to instill fear or cause emotional distress. Instead, the new language specifies that a person commits stalking if they knowingly or recklessly engage in a course of conduct that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or causes substantial emotional distress.

Additionally, the bill maintains the structure of the offense but emphasizes the mental state of the perpetrator—whether they acted knowingly or recklessly—when engaging in the conduct. This change aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding stalking offenses by focusing on the perpetrator's awareness and intent, thereby potentially enhancing the protection for victims. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2266 (Sep 09, 2025): 18-2709.1(a)