Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HB1344: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for definitions; and, in employees, further providing for canine training standards for police officers.
Status: Signed into law, June 29, 2026
What the bill says
Amending Title TITLES 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) AND 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, IN RIOT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; AND, in employees, further providing for canine training standards for police officers.
From the amended text, March 23, 2026:
Amending Title TITLES 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) AND 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, IN RIOT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; AND, in employees, further providing for canine training standards for police officers. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 2172(a) and (c) of Title 53 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read: SECTION 1. THE DEFINITION OF "POLICE ANIMAL" IN SECTION 5531 OF TITLE 18 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED TO READ: § 5531. DEFINITIONS. THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS SUBCHAPTER SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE: * * * "POLICE ANIMAL." AN ANIMAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, <-- <-- <-- <-- DOGS AND HORSES, USED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, A POLICE DEPARTMENT CREATED BY A METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY OPERATING UNDER 74 PA.C.S. CH. 17 (RELATING TO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES), A POLICE DEPARTMENT CREATED UNDER THE ACT OF APRIL 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1414, NO.465), KNOWN AS THE SECOND CLASS COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY ACT, THE CAPITOL POLICE, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL, A COUNTY FACILITY OR OFFICE OR BY A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT OR AGENCY OR …