An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child protective services, further providing for definitions.
HB 940 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "sexual abuse or exploitation" in child protective services law (Title 23, Section 6303). It expands the definition to explicitly include behaviors like viewing a child's intimate parts, participating in sexual conversations via digital means, and simulated sexual activity for sexual gratification. The bill also clarifies that consensual activity between two 14-year-olds within four years of age is excluded from this definition. This change directly affects how child protective services agencies and courts categorize and respond to alleged child sexual abuse cases. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Bill status
in committee
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 17, 2025
Last action May 14, 2025
Floor votes · House May 14, 2025
How they voted
26–0
Passed
Total votes 26
May 14, 2025
D
Democratic14
100% Yea
R
Republican12
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
May 14, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (26-0)
house
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Sheryl Delozier
RRepublican
Co
Aaron Bernstine
RRepublican
Co
Brenda Pugh
RRepublican
Co
Nikki Rivera
DDemocratic
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