HB 259 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, further providing for the offense of sexual abuse of children.

HB 259 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "child sexual abuse material" in Title 18 to clarify what constitutes illegal content. It adds specific criteria for material involving children under 18, including depictions of lewd exhibition of genitals (if patently offensive), material appealing to prurient interest under community standards, and material lacking serious literary or educational value. This change directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors who identify and prosecute violations of child sexual abuse laws. The bill updates existing legal language without creating new penalties, effective 60 days after enactment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Jan 22, 2025
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Total actions
1
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Committee
1
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

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