Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 63 - Minors
Section 6308.1 - Safe harbor for violation of section 6308(a)


(a) Immunity for the individual seeking medical attention for another.--An individual shall not be prosecuted for an offense under section 6308(a) (relating to purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages) if the individual can establish all of the following:
(1) A law enforcement officer first became aware of the individual's violation of section 6308(a) because the individual placed a 911 call or contacted campus security, police or emergency services, based on a reasonable belief that another individual was in need of immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury.
(2) The individual reasonably believed the individual was the first individual to make a 911 call or contact campus security, police or emergency services and report that the other individual needed immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury.
(3) The individual provided the individual's own name to the 911 operator or equivalent campus security officer, police or emergency services personnel.
(4) The individual remained with the other individual needing medical assistance until a campus security officer, police or emergency services personnel arrived and the need for the individual's presence ended.
(b) Immunity for the individual needing medical attention.--An individual needing medical attention shall be immune under this section from prosecution for an offense under section 6308(a) if another individual reported the incident and remained with the individual needing medical attention and is entitled to immunity under this section.
(c) Limitations.--The immunity described under this section shall be limited as follows:
(1) This section may not bar prosecuting a person for an offense under section 6308(a) if a law enforcement officer learns of the offense prior to and independent of the action of seeking or obtaining emergency assistance as described in subsection (a).
(2) This section shall not interfere with or prevent the investigation, arrest, charging or prosecution of an individual for a crime other than an offense under section 6308(a).
(3) This section shall not bar the admissibility of evidence in connection with the investigation and prosecution for a crime other than an offense under section 6308(a).
(4) This section shall not bar the admissibility of evidence in connection with the investigation and prosecution of a crime with regard to another defendant who does not independently qualify for immunity under this section.
(d) Good faith immunity.--In addition to any other applicable immunity or limitation on civil liability, a law enforcement officer, campus security officer or prosecuting attorney who, acting in good faith, charges a person who is thereafter determined to be entitled to immunity under this section shall not be subject to civil liability for the filing of the charges.
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"911 system." A system, including enhanced 911 service and a wireless e-911 system, that permits a person dialing 911 by telephone to be connected to a public safety answering point, via normal telephone facilities, for the reporting of police, fire, medical or other emergency situations.
"Campus security officer." An employee of an institution of higher education charged with maintaining the safety and security of the property of the institution and persons on the property.
"Emergency services personnel." Individuals, including a trained volunteer or a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard, whose official or assigned responsibilities include performing or directly supporting the performance of emergency medical and rescue services or firefighting.
"Law enforcement officer." A person who by virtue of the person's office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses, or a person on active State duty under 51 Pa.C.S. ยง 508 (relating to active duty for emergency).
(Oct. 19, 2018, P.L.535, No.80, eff. 30 days)

2018 Amendment. Act 80 added section 6308.1. Section 8 of Act 80 provided that Act 80 shall be referred to as the "Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law."

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES

Chapter 63 - Minors

Extra - Chapter Notes

Section 6301 - Corruption of minors

Section 6302 - Sale or lease of weapons and explosives

Section 6303 - Sale of starter pistols

Section 6304 - Sale and use of air rifles

Section 6305 - Sale of tobacco products

Section 6306 - Furnishing cigarettes or cigarette papers (Repealed)

Section 6306.1 - Use of tobacco products in schools prohibited

Section 6307 - Misrepresentation of age to secure liquor or malt or brewed beverages

Section 6308 - Purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages

Section 6308.1 - Safe harbor for violation of section 6308(a)

Section 6309 - Representing that minor is of age

Section 6310 - Inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt or brewed beverages

Section 6310.1 - Selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors

Section 6310.2 - Manufacture or sale of false identification card

Section 6310.3 - Carrying a false identification card

Section 6310.4 - Restriction of operating privileges (Repealed)

Section 6310.5 - Predisposition evaluation

Section 6310.6 - Definitions

Section 6310.7 - Selling or furnishing nonalcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age

Section 6311 - Tattooing and body piercing

Section 6312 - Sexual abuse of children

Section 6313 - Special information

Section 6314 - Sentencing and penalties for trafficking drugs to minors

Section 6315 - Selling or furnishing butane to minors

Section 6316 - Selling or furnishing certain stimulants to minors

Section 6317 - Drug-free school zones

Section 6318 - Unlawful contact with minor

Section 6319 - Solicitation of minors to traffic drugs

Section 6320 - Sexual exploitation of children

Section 6321 - Transmission of sexually explicit images by minor

Section 6322 - Access of minors to dextromethorphan