Following is a listing of executive, legislative and judiciary action for the week of Feb. 24. Members of the General Assembly are set to return to session March 10.
Aggravated Arson
Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law SB 1024, legislation that amends the Crimes Code to create the new offense of aggravated arson—a first-degree felony—where a fire is set with the intent to cause bodily harm to any person, including firefighters and first responders. The new law, which was primarily sponsored by state Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr., R-Montgomery, also provides a sentencing enhancement when arson results in any bodily injury to a firefighter or other first responder, or serious bodily injury to a civilian.
