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Bill > SB686
PA SB686
PA SB686In falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of tampering with public records or information.
summary
Introduced
04/28/2025
04/28/2025
In Committee
12/15/2025
12/15/2025
Crossed Over
06/04/2025
06/04/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), entitled <-- "An act providing for access to public information, for a designated open-records officer in each Commonwealth agency, local agency, judicial agency and legislative agency, for procedure, for appeal of agency determination, for judicial review and for the Office of Open Records; imposing penalties; providing for reporting by State-related institutions; requiring the posting of certain State contract information on the Internet; and making related repeals," in judicial review, providing for criminal penalty. AMENDING TITLE 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA <-- CONSOLIDATED STATUTES, IN FALSIFICATION AND INTIMIDATION, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR THE OFFENSE OF TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS OR INFORMATION.
AI Summary
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and the state's criminal code to strengthen protections against tampering with public records. Specifically, the bill creates a criminal penalty for intentionally and unlawfully altering, destroying, concealing, removing, or otherwise impairing the availability or authenticity of a record that has been requested under the Right-to-Know Law. While previously tampering with public records was typically considered a misdemeanor, the bill upgrades the offense to a felony of the third degree if the record is the subject of a current information request or appeal, or if the actor's intent is to defraud or injure someone. The new provisions aim to deter individuals from deliberately interfering with public information requests by imposing more serious legal consequences for such actions. The bill will go into effect 60 days after its passage, giving agencies and potential offenders time to understand and adapt to the new legal standards.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Cris Dush (R)*,
Jarrett Coleman (R),
Kristin Phillips-Hill (R),
Greg Rothman (R),
Pat Stefano (R),
Judy Ward (R),
Last Action
Re-referred to Commerce (on 12/15/2025)
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