Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 9 R · 5 D cosponsors

SB 477 — An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and immunities, further providing for emergency response provider and bystander good Samaritan civil immunity.

Last action — PN 0496 Referred to JUDICIARY

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds civil immunity for emergency responders who treat police animals in emergencies.

  • 42 Pa.C.S. § 8332

    Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term "emergency response provider" includes → 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:

    This change clarifies the section's structure by altering how definitions are presented.

  • 42 Pa.C.S. § 8332

    "Police animal." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5531 (relating to definitions).

    This adds a specific definition of 'police animal' that references another section of the law.

  • 42 Pa.C.S. § 8332

    An emergency response provider, who has completed training as required under subsection (b.1), and who in good faith renders emergency care, treatment, first aid or rescue to a police animal at the scene of an emergency event or crime shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of rendering such care, except in any act or omission intentionally designed to harm or any grossly negligent acts or omissions which result in harm to the police animal receiving emergency care.

    This provision grants legal protection to emergency responders who assist police animals.

  • 42 Pa.C.S. § 8332

    For purposes of subsection (a.1), an emergency response provider who renders emergency care to a police animal shall have completed training in emergency veterinary care consistent with standards identified and approved by an entity which provides continuing education for veterinary care in this Commonwealth.

    This establishes a training requirement for responders treating police animals.

Action History

  1. PN 0496 Referred to JUDICIARY

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 19 co-sponsors · 233 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (19)

Not signed on (233)

233 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 477?
SB 477 is sponsored by Judy Ward (Republican), Lindsey M. Williams (Democratic), Jay Costa (Democratic), Kim L. Ward (Republican), Lisa M. Boscola (Democratic), Wayne D. Fontana (Democratic), Farnese, Browne, David G. Argall (Republican), Brewster, Dinniman, Christine M. Tartaglione (Democratic), Camera Bartolotta (Republican), Folmer, Killion, Wayne Langerholc (Republican), Scott Martin (Republican), Kristin Phillips-Hill (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), and Elder A. Vogel (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 477?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 477?
Track SB 477 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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