SB 399 — An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in limitation of time, further providing for construction projects.

PRINTER'S NO.   346

                       THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          SENATE BILL
                          No. 399
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY LAUGHLIN, HUTCHINSON AND STEFANO, MARCH 6, 2025

     REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, MARCH 6, 2025


                                      AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
 2      Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in limitation of time,
 3      further providing for construction projects.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.      Section 5536(a) introductory paragraph and (b)(1)
 7   of Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are
 8   amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
 9   read:
10   § 5536.    Construction projects.
11      (a)    General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a
12   civil action or proceeding brought against any person lawfully
13   performing or furnishing the design, planning, supervision or
14   observation of construction, or construction of any improvement
15   to real property must be commenced within [12] six years after
16   completion of construction of such improvement to recover
17   damages for:
18             * * *
19      (b)    Exceptions.--
 1            (1)   If an injury or wrongful death shall occur more than
 2      [ten] four and within [12] six years after completion of the
 3      improvement a civil action or proceeding within the scope of
 4      subsection (a) may be commenced within the time otherwise
 5      limited by this subchapter, but not later than [14] eight
 6      years after completion of construction of such improvement.
 7            * * *
 8      (d)   Definition.--As used in this section, the term
 9   "lawfully" means a person who, when required by law, is licensed
10   or otherwise authorized by law to perform or furnish the design,
11   planning, supervision or observation of construction. The term
12   includes the design and construction of any improvement to real
13   property or a person who has secured a permit for the
14   construction of improvements to real property.
15      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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