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PRINTER'S NO. 1091
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 915
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, PENNYCUICK, PICOZZI, BARTOLOTTA, STEFANO,
VOGEL, MASTRIANO, ROBINSON, ARGALL AND CULVER, JULY 31, 2025
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JULY 31, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, further providing for the offense of riot.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5501 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 5501. Riot.
(a) Participation.--A person is guilty of riot, a felony of
the third degree, if he participates with two or more others in
a course of disorderly conduct:
(1) with intent to commit or facilitate the commission
of a felony or misdemeanor;
(2) with intent to prevent or coerce official action; or
(3) when the actor or any other participant to the
knowledge of the actor uses or plans to use a firearm or
other deadly weapon.
(b) Organization of riot.--
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(1) A person that knowingly organizes, controls or
finances a riot with two or more people is guilty of a felony
of the third degree.
(2) If a person commits an offense under paragraph (1)
and the offense leads to the death of an individual, the
person is guilty of a felony of the first degree.
(3) As used in this subsection, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Controls." The action of knowingly directing,
coordinating or supervising the offense of rioting for two or
more people.
"Finances." Contributing more than a de minimis amount
of money or materials to aid in a riot with two or more
people.
"Organizes." The action of knowingly arranging or
planning the crime of rioting for two or more people.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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