Pennsylvania Act 1997-50 — CRIMES CODE (18 PA.C.S.) - AMEND FACSIMILE BOMBS

Act text

CRIMES CODE (18 PA.C.S.) - AMEND FACSIMILE BOMBS
                  Act of Oct. 31, 1997, P.L. 491, No. 50              Cl. 18
                             Session of 1997
                               No. 1997-50

     HB 41

                                  AN ACT

     Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
        Consolidated Statutes, providing for facsimile bombs.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
     Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
      § 5516.  Facsimile bombs.
        (a)  Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if the
     person knowingly manufactures, sells, purchases, transports or
     causes another to transport, possesses or uses a facsimile bomb
     with the intent to do any of the following:
            (1)  Terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass an
        individual.
            (2)  Cause alarm or reaction on the part of any of the
        following:
                (i)  A public or volunteer organization that deals
            with emergencies involving danger to life or property.
                (ii)  A law enforcement organization.
        (b)  Grading.--An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
     of the second degree.
        (c)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term
     "facsimile bomb" means a device which:
            (1)  resembles in appearance and external qualities an
        explosive or incendiary device; but
            (2)  does not have the capability to cause an explosion
        or fire.
        Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

     APPROVED--The 31st day of October, A. D. 1997.

     THOMAS J. RIDGE