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PRINTER'S NO. 857
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 805
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, FONTANA AND HAYWOOD, MAY 30, 2025
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, MAY 30, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in other offenses, providing for sky
lantern tethering; and imposing penalties.
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:
§ 7518. Sky lantern tethering.
(a) Offenses defined.--A person commits an offense if the
person:
(1) intentionally releases a sky lantern, aerial
luminary lantern or similar floating device outdoors unless
the sky lantern, aerial luminary lantern or similar floating
device is tethered by a weight or other fixed structure
connected to the ground; or
(2) tethers a sky lantern, aerial luminary lantern or
similar floating device and intentionally leaves the sky
lantern, aerial luminary lantern or similar floating device
unattended.
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(b) Penalties.--
(1) A violation of subsection (a)(1) is a summary
offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500.
(2) A violation of subsection (a)(2) in which the sky
lantern, aerial luminary lantern or similar floating device
is released outdoors beyond the control of the person who
tethered it is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not
less than $1,500.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Aerial luminary lantern." A sky lantern.
"Municipality." A county, city, borough, incorporated town
or township.
"Person." As follows:
(1) An individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, business trust, association, firm, estate,
trust, foundation, municipality or other business or
governmental entity.
(2) The term does not include the Commonwealth.
" Sky lantern." A small hot air balloon made of paper, or
similar material, with an opening at the bottom where a small
fire is suspended, which causes the lantern to rise in the air.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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