How SB 683 changes current law

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

The bill introduces new penalties and definitions for offenses related to critical infrastructure facilities in Pennsylvania.

• Title 18 § 3506

  § 3506. Offenses relating to critical infrastructure facilities. (a) Trespass.-- (1) A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if the person willfully and knowingly trespasses or enters property containing a critical infrastructure facility without permission by the owner of the property or lawful occupant. (2) A person convicted of violating paragraph (1) shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500 or to imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than one year, or both. (3) Notwithstanding section 903 (relating to criminal conspiracy), a person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if the person conspires with another person to commit the offense of trespass against a critical infrastructure facility in violation of this section. (4) Notwithstanding section 905 (relating to grading of criminal attempt, solicitation and conspiracy), a person convicted of violating paragraph (3) shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $5,000. (5) A person commits a felony of the third degree if the person willfully and knowingly trespasses or enters property containing a critical infrastructure facility without permission by the owner of the property or lawful occupant with the intent to willfully damage, destroy, vandalize, deface, tamper with equipment or impede or inhibit operations of the critical infrastructure facility. (6) A person convicted of violating paragraph (5) shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $1,000 or to imprisonment in a State correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than three years, or both.

  Establishes new offenses and penalties for trespassing and vandalizing critical infrastructure facilities.

• Title 18 § 3506

  (b) Vandalism.-- (1) A person commits a felony of the third degree if the person: (i) willfully damages, destroys, vandalizes, defaces or tampers with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility; or (ii) notwithstanding section 903, conspires with another person to willfully damage, destroy, vandalize, deface or tamper with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility. (2) Grading for offenses under paragraph (1) shall be as follows: (i) A person convicted of violating paragraph (1)(i) shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $2,000 or to imprisonment in a State correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both. (ii) Notwithstanding section 905, a person convicted of violating paragraph (1)(ii) shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $10,000.

  Creates a felony offense for vandalism of critical infrastructure facilities with associated fines and imprisonment terms.

• Title 18 § 3506

  (c) Civil liability.--An owner of a critical infrastructure facility may file a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction against a person who is arrested for or convicted of an offense under this section for damages to personal or real property, including damages to pipeline construction and pigging stations.

  Enables property owners to sue for damages related to offenses against their critical infrastructure.

• Title 18 § 3506

  (d) 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: "Critical infrastructure facility." Systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States or the Commonwealth that the incapacity or destruction of the systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, State economic security, national public health or safety, State public health or safety or any combination of those matters, whether the systems or assets are in operation or are under construction.

  Defines 'critical infrastructure facility' to clarify the scope of properties covered under the new penalties.