HB 2519 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of strangulation.

Summary

Erika's Law – The Strangulation Accountability Act

Bill Text

• Printer's No. 4103 View text Current

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill adds a duty for law enforcement officers to warn individuals about the health risks associated with strangulation during domestic incidents.

• 18 Pa.C.S. § 2718

  (d.1) Duty to warn.--(1) A law enforcement officer who, in responding to or investigating an incident, has reasonable grounds to believe that an individual has been subjected to conduct described in subsection (a) shall provide the individual with a verbal or written warning concerning the potential health consequences of strangulation. (2) The warning required under paragraph (1) shall inform the individual of all of the following: (i) Strangulation may cause serious or life-threatening injuries even when there are no visible injuries or immediate symptoms. (ii) Health consequences may develop or become apparent after the incident and may include internal bleeding, brain injury, thyroid damage, miscarriage, stroke or death. (iii) The individual should seek immediate medical evaluation, even if the individual feels well or has no visible injuries. (iv) The individual should call 911 or seek emergency medical assistance immediately if the individual experiences difficulty breathing or swallowing, changes in voice, neck or throat swelling, a severe headache, confusion, weakness, loss of consciousness or other new or worsening symptoms. (3) The warning shall be provided as soon as practicable after the officer identifies the individual as a potential victim of strangulation. If the individual's medical condition prevents the individual from receiving or understanding the warning, the officer shall first obtain necessary emergency medical assistance and provide the warning as soon as practicable thereafter. Providing the warning may not delay emergency medical care. (4) The duty under this subsection applies regardless of whether: (i) The individual has a visible injury. (ii) An arrest is made or a criminal charge is filed. (iii) The individual agrees to cooperate with an investigation or prosecution. (5) The law enforcement officer shall document in the incident report whether the warning was provided verbally or in writing. If the warning could not be provided, the officer shall document the reason and any subsequent efforts to provide the warning. (6) The Pennsylvania State Police, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall develop and make publicly available a model written warning that satisfies paragraph (2). A law enforcement officer may satisfy paragraph (1) by reading or providing the model warning to the individual.

  This creates a new requirement for law enforcement to warn potential victims about the dangers of strangulation.

Action History

1. October 28, 2026

   Referred to JUDICIARY, Oct. 28, 2026

Sponsors

• Donna Scheuren · Primary
• Andrew Kuzma · Cosponsor
• Shelby Labs · Cosponsor
• Mark M. Gillen · Cosponsor

Subjects