HB 1933 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for persons required to report suspected aggravated cruelty to animal.

PRINTER'S NO.    2432

                      THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          HOUSE BILL
                          No. 1933
                                                  Session of
                                                    2025

     INTRODUCED BY SAPPEY, KLUNK, SANCHEZ, HANBIDGE, FREEMAN, HILL-
        EVANS, HOHENSTEIN, BRENNAN, NEILSON, CONKLIN, HOWARD, PROBST,
        STEELE, CIRESI, RIVERA AND D. WILLIAMS, OCTOBER 8, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 8, 2025


                                         AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
 3      related offenses, providing for persons required to report
 4      suspected aggravated cruelty to animal.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby enacts as follows:
 7      Section 1.      Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 8   Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
 9   § 5555.1.      Persons required to report suspected aggravated
10                  cruelty to animal.
11      (a)   Mandated reporters.--A person shall make a report of
12   suspected aggravated cruelty against an animal if the person has
13   reasonable cause to suspect that the animal is a victim of
14   aggravated cruelty and the person is any of the following:
15            (1)    A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine.
16            (2)    A veterinary assistant.
17            (3)    An employee of a nonprofit society or association
18      duly incorporated in accordance with 15 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53 Subch.
 1      A (relating to incorporation generally) for the purpose of
 2      protecting animals or preventing animal cruelty.
 3      (b)   Manner of reporting.--A report under subsection (a)
 4   shall be made to a law enforcement agency, either orally or in
 5   writing, and shall include, if known, the following information:
 6            (1)   The species, name and description of the animal.
 7            (2)   The address and telephone number of the owner or
 8      other person responsible for the care of the animal.
 9            (3)   A description of the nature and extent of the
10      suspected aggravated cruelty, including the date and time
11      that the suspected aggravated cruelty occurred or was
12      discovered.
13            (4)   Any evidence of prior incidents of aggravated
14      cruelty involving the animal.
15            (5)   Any explanation given for the suspected aggravated
16      cruelty.
17            (6)   The name and contact information of the person
18      making the report.
19            (7)   Any other information that the person making the
20      report believes may be helpful in establishing the cause of
21      the suspected aggravated cruelty or the identity of the
22      person who caused the suspected aggravated cruelty.
23      (c)   Immunity.--A mandated reporter under subsection (a)
24   acting in good faith shall have immunity from civil and criminal
25   liability that might otherwise result from:
26            (1)   Making a report of suspected aggravated cruelty,
27      regardless of whether the report is required to be made under
28      this section.
29            (2)   Cooperating or consulting with an investigation
30      under this subchapter.

20250HB1933PN2432                    - 2 -
1            (3)   Testifying in a proceeding arising out of an
2      instance of suspected aggravated cruelty.
3      (d)   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      "Aggravated cruelty."    A violation of 18 Pa.C.S. 5534
7   (relating to aggravated cruelty to animal).
8      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




20250HB1933PN2432                   - 3 -