HB 1837 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, providing for the offense of child torture.

PRINTER'S NO.    2273

                      THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          HOUSE BILL
                          No. 1837
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY WARNER, COOK, DELOZIER, KAUFFMAN, KRUPA, SCIALABBA
        AND ARMANINI, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025


                                      AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family,
 3      providing for the offense of child torture.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.     Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 7   Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
 8   § 4307.    Child torture.
 9      (a)    Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if the
10   person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly tortures a child
11   who is within the custody or physical control of the person.
12      (b)    Grading.--
13             (1)   An offense under this section is a felony of the
14      third degree if the victim does not suffer bodily injury.
15             (2)   An offense under this section is a felony of the
16      first degree if the victim suffers bodily injury.
17      (c)    Counseling.--A court shall consider ordering a person
18   convicted of an offense under this section to undergo
 1   counseling.
 2      (d)   Personal injury crime.--An offense under this section
 3   shall constitute a personal injury crime under the act of
 4   November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims
 5   Act.
 6      (e)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
 7   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
 8   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
 9      "Child."    An individual who is under 18 years of age.
10      "Emotional distress."    As defined in section 2709.1(f)
11   (relating to stalking).
12      "Period of time."    More than a single 48-hour period.
13      "Person."    An individual, including a parent or guardian of a
14   child.
15      "Sexual abuse or exploitation."      As defined in 23 Pa.C.S. §
16   6303(a) (relating to definitions).
17      "Torture."    A course of conduct against a child that includes
18   at least one of the following acts or substantially similar
19   acts:
20            (1)   Breaking, severing or severely impairing a limb of
21      the child.
22            (2)   Inflicting severe and prolonged pain from striking,
23      burning or cutting the child.
24            (3)   Causing or allowing a grossly unreasonable period of
25      time where the child is deprived of food or water.
26            (4)   Knowingly restraining the child so as to interfere
27      substantially with the child's liberty in a grossly
28      unreasonable manner that serves no legitimate parental
29      purpose.
30            (5)   Forcing the child to remain in an area that is not

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 1    suitable for habitation, including an area where urine or
 2    feces is actively present.
 3        (6)     Subjecting the child to extreme temperatures without
 4    adequate clothing.
 5        (7)     Forcing excessive and unnecessary time periods of
 6    exercise or other physical acts as a form of punishment
 7    against the child.
 8        (8)     Engaging in the sexual abuse or exploitation of the
 9    child or allowing or participating in the sexual abuse or
10    exploitation of the child by another person.
11        (9)     Repeatedly intimidating or humiliating the child for
12    the purpose of causing significant emotional distress.
13        (10)     Terrorizing or threatening death or harm to the
14    child, a loved one of the child or a pet or loved object of
15    the child for the purpose of causing significant emotional
16    distress.
17        (11)     Restricting basic and necessary bodily functions
18    needed for the personal hygiene of the child.
19        (12)     Engaging in conduct that places the child at risk
20    of serious bodily injury.
21    Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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