HB 1681 — An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and immunities, providing for immunity for security officers of religious organizations.

PRINTER'S NO.   2057

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1681
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY COOPER, HAMM, KAUFFMAN, ZIMMERMAN, E. NELSON,
        KUZMA AND BERNSTINE, JUNE 30, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 30, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
 2      Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and
 3      immunities, providing for immunity for security officers of
 4      religious organizations.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby enacts as follows:
 7      Section 1.    Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 8   Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
 9   § 8340.4.   Immunity for security officers of religious
10               organizations.
11      (a)   Immunity.--Except as provided in subsection (b), in
12   addition to any other applicable immunity or limitation on civil
13   liability, a security officer of a religious organization shall
14   be entitled to civil immunity for any injury or loss to property
15   resulting from the security officer's actions in defense or in
16   protection of the religious organization for which the security
17   officer provided safety, security or protection services.
18      (b)   Exception.--The immunity provided under subsection (a)
19   shall not apply to an act or omission that arises out of any
 1   reckless, malicious, grossly negligent or wanton action or
 2   conduct by the security officer.
 3      (c)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
 4   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
 5   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
 6      "Religious organization."    A body or community of individuals
 7   that is organized primarily for the purpose of engaging in
 8   religious worship or promoting the spiritual development or
 9   well-being of individuals.
10      "Security officer."    A volunteer of a religious organization
11   who provides the following services for the religious
12   organization as determined by the religious organization:
13            (1)   Protection of persons and property.
14            (2)   Monitoring visitors.
15            (3)   Deterrence, observation, detection or reporting of
16      incidents and activities for the purpose of preventing the
17      theft, conversion, concealment or misappropriation of
18      personal property.
19            (4)   Deterrence, observation, detection or reporting of
20      incidents and activities for the purpose of preventing any
21      unauthorized or unlawful activity, including robbery,
22      burglary, arson, criminal mischief, vandalism or trespass.
23      "Volunteer."    An individual who provides services without an
24   express or implied promise of remuneration.
25      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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