Pennsylvania Act 1995-31 — CRIMES CODE (18 PA.C.S.) - AMEND

Act text

Session of 1995

No. 1995-31

HB 578

AN ACT

Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for involuntary manslaughter and for endangering the welfare of children.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Sections 2504 and 4304 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

§ 2504. Involuntary manslaughter.

(a) General rule.--A person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter when as a direct result of the doing of an unlawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, or the doing of a lawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, he causes the death of another person.

(b) Grading.--Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Where the victim is under 12 years of age and is in the care, custody or control of the person who caused the death, involuntary manslaughter is a felony of the second degree.

§ 4304. Endangering welfare of children.

(a) Offense defined.-- A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child under 18 years of age commits [a misdemeanor of the first degree] an offense if he knowingly endangers the welfare of the child by violating a duty of care, protection or support.

(b) Grading.--An offense under this section constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree. However, where there is a course of conduct of endangering the welfare of a child, the offense constitutes a felony of the third degree.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 6th day of July, A. D. 1995.

THOMAS J. RIDGE