PA House To Vote To Remove Term 'Homosexuality' From Crimes Code

HARRISBURG — State lawmakers on Tuesday are poised to vote on second consideration on a bill that would remove the term "homosexuality" from certain references within the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.

The measure, which had been introduced by Montgomery County Republican State Rep. Todd Stephens, was first introduced late last year.

In a co-sponsorship memo in November 2021, Stephens said he planned to introduce the legislation that would remove references to the term "homosexuality" within definitions of prohibited sexual acts within state law.

"The usage of this term in the definitions of 'sexual activity' and 'sexual conduct' in Sections 5902 (relating to prostitution) and 5903 (relating to child pornography), respectively, serves no purpose as homosexual acts, in and of themselves, do not constitute a criminal offense," wrote Stephens, who worked as a prosecutor before becoming an elected representative.

Stephens wrote that in addition to removing references to "homosexuality," the legislation would further amend the definitions of "sexual activity" and "sexual conduct" by removing surplus language and incorporating references to other sexual acts defined elsewhere in the Crimes Code, "thereby removing certain ambiguities in the current statute," according to the co-sponsorship memo.

Legislative records show that the measure was voted on first consideration back in March and that now lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposal on second consideration during a session in Harrisburg Tuesday.

The measure would amend Title 18, (Crimes and Offenses), in the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

The bipartisan measure had gotten the support of 13 cosponsors after it was introduced by Stephens.