State constitution
Constitution of Pennsylvania
Data from PA General Assembly
Full article/section structure with condensed section text. The Judiciary Schedule and the historical Schedules (transitional provisions) are summarized rather than listed section-by-section. Read the verbatim text at the source link.
Article I Declaration of Rights
§ 1 Inherent rights of mankind
All are born equally free and independent and have inherent rights, including enjoying life and liberty, acquiring and protecting property, and pursuing happiness and safety.
§ 2 Political powers
All power is inherent in the people, who have a right to alter, reform, or abolish their government as they may think proper.
§ 3 Religious freedom
No one may be compelled to attend or support any place of worship or ministry against their consent; all have a natural right to worship according to conscience.
§ 4 Religion
No person who acknowledges a God and a future state of rewards and punishments may be disqualified from office on account of religious sentiments.
§ 5 Elections
Elections shall be free and equal, and no power shall interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.
§ 6 Trial by jury
Trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate; the General Assembly may provide for civil verdicts by less than a unanimous jury as specified.
§ 7 Freedom of press and speech; libels
The printing press is free to every person; every citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
§ 8 Security from searches and seizures
The people are secure from unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants must be supported by oath and describe the place and things as nearly as may be.
§ 9 Rights of accused in criminal prosecutions
The accused has the right to be heard, to know the accusation, to confront witnesses, to compulsory process, to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury, and not to be compelled to give evidence against themselves or deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process.
§ 10 Initiation of criminal proceedings; jeopardy; eminent domain
Serious crimes proceed by indictment or information; no person is twice put in jeopardy for the same offense; private property may not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation.
§ 11 Courts to be open; suits against the Commonwealth
All courts shall be open, and every person shall have remedy by due course of law; suits may be brought against the Commonwealth as directed by law.
§ 12 Power of suspending laws
No power to suspend laws shall be exercised except by the Legislature or its authority.
§ 13 Bail, fines and punishments
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted.
§ 14 Prisoners to be bailable; habeas corpus
All prisoners are bailable except for capital or specified serious offenses where proof is evident; the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in rebellion or invasion.
§ 15 Special criminal tribunals
No commission or special tribunal with criminal jurisdiction may be created or empowered to try any person.
§ 16 Insolvent debtors
The person of a debtor may not be continued in prison after delivering up their estate, except where fraud is presumed.
§ 17 Ex post facto laws; impairment of contracts
No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts or making irrevocable grants of special privileges, shall be passed.
§ 18 Attainder
No attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor forfeiture of estate beyond the life of the offender.
§ 19 Attainder limited
The Legislature shall not attaint any person of treason or felony.
§ 20 Right of petition
The citizens have a right to assemble peaceably and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances.
§ 21 Right to bear arms
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.
§ 22 Standing army; military subordinate to civil power
No standing army shall be kept in peacetime without the Legislature's consent; the military is in strict subordination to the civil power.
§ 23 Quartering of troops
No soldier shall in peacetime be quartered in any house without the owner's consent, nor in war except as prescribed by law.
§ 24 Titles and offices
No title of nobility or hereditary distinction shall be granted, nor office created whose appointment extends beyond a term of years.
§ 25 Reservation of powers in people
To guard against transgressions of the high powers here delegated, everything in this Declaration of Rights is excepted out of the general powers of government and shall forever remain inviolate.
§ 26 No discrimination by Commonwealth and subdivisions
Neither the Commonwealth nor any political subdivision shall deny to any person the enjoyment of any civil right, nor discriminate in the exercise of any civil right.
§ 27 Natural resources and the public estate
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment; public natural resources are held in trust for present and future generations.
§ 28 Equality of rights regardless of sex
Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of the sex of the individual.
§ 29 Equality of rights regarding race and ethnicity
Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of the race or ethnicity of the individual.
Article II The Legislature
§ 1 Legislative power
The legislative power of the Commonwealth is vested in a General Assembly consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
§ 2 Election of members; vacancies
Members are chosen at the general election; vacancies are filled for the unexpired term as provided by law.
§ 3 Terms of members
Senators serve four years and Representatives two years.
§ 4 Sessions
The General Assembly meets in regular annual session and in special sessions convened as provided.
§ 5 Qualifications of members
Senators must be at least 25 and Representatives at least 21, citizens and residents of the State and district for the required period.
§ 6 Disqualification to hold other office
No member may, during their term, be appointed to a civil office created or whose pay was increased during that term.
§ 7 Ineligibility by criminal convictions
A person convicted of embezzlement of public money, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime is ineligible to the General Assembly.
§ 8 Compensation
Members receive salary and expenses as fixed by law, subject to constitutional limits on mid-term changes.
§ 9 Election of officers; judge of elections
Each house chooses its officers and is the judge of the election and qualifications of its members.
§ 10 Quorum
A majority of each house constitutes a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn and compel attendance.
§ 11 Powers of each house; expulsion
Each house may determine its rules, punish members for disorderly conduct, and with a two-thirds vote expel a member.
§ 12 Journals; yeas and nays
Each house keeps a journal, and the yeas and nays on any question are entered at the desire of any two members.
§ 13 Open sessions
The sessions of each house and its committees shall be open unless business requires secrecy.
§ 14 Adjournments
Neither house may adjourn for more than three days without the other's consent.
§ 15 Privileges of members
Members are privileged from arrest during sessions except for serious crimes, and are not questioned elsewhere for speech in debate.
§ 16 Legislative districts
The State is divided into 50 senatorial and 203 representative districts, compact and contiguous and as nearly equal in population as practicable.
§ 17 Legislative Reapportionment Commission
A five-member commission reapportions Senate and House districts after each federal census, subject to review by the Supreme Court.
Article III Legislation
§ 1 Passage of laws
No law shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall be so altered during passage as to change its original purpose.
§ 2 Reference to committee; printing
Every bill is referred to committee and printed for members before its final passage.
§ 3 Form of bills
No bill shall contain more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title.
§ 4 Consideration of bills
Every bill is considered on three different days in each house; amendments must be printed before final passage.
§ 5 Concurring in amendments; conference reports
No amendment by one house is concurred in by the other except by majority vote; conference committee reports may not be amended.
§ 6 Revival and amendment of laws
No law is revived or amended by reference to its title only; the revived or amended provisions are re-enacted in full.
§ 7 Notice of local and special bills
Repealed provisions once required published notice of local or special bills.
§ 8 Signing of bills
The presiding officer of each house signs all bills passed, and the fact of signing is entered on the journal.
§ 9 Action on concurrent orders and resolutions
Every order or resolution requiring concurrence of both houses (except adjournment) is presented to the Governor.
§ 10 Revenue bills
All bills for raising revenue originate in the House of Representatives; the Senate may amend as on other bills.
§ 11 Appropriation bills
The general appropriation bill embraces only the ordinary expenses of government, public debt, and public schools; other appropriations are by separate bills.
§ 12 Legislation at special sessions
At a special session, legislation is limited to subjects the Governor designates in the call.
§ 13 Vote denied members with personal interest
A member with a personal or private interest in a measure must disclose it and may not vote on it.
§ 14 Public school system
The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education.
§ 15 School money not for sectarian schools
No money raised for public schools shall be appropriated to or used for any sectarian school.
§ 16 National Guard
The National Guard shall be organized, maintained, and regulated as provided by law.
§ 17 Legislative officers and employees
Each house appoints its own officers and employees as authorized.
§ 18 Compensation (workers') laws
The General Assembly may enact laws requiring payment of compensation for injuries to employees.
§ 19 Support of widows and orphans of the armed forces
Appropriations may be made for the support of widows and orphans of members of the armed forces.
§ 20 Classification of municipalities
The Legislature may classify counties, cities, boroughs, and townships according to population.
§ 21 Land title registration
Laws may be enacted providing for the registration and assurance of land titles.
§ 22 State purchases
The General Assembly maintains a system of competitive bidding for State contracts and purchases.
§ 23 Change of venue
The power to change the venue in civil and criminal cases is vested in the courts, as provided by law.
§ 24 Paying out public moneys
No money is paid out of the treasury except on appropriations made by law and on warrant issued as prescribed.
§ 25 Emergency seats of government
The Legislature may provide for continuity of government and temporary seats of government in emergencies caused by enemy attack.
§ 26 Extra compensation; claims; pensions
No extra compensation is granted after service rendered; the Legislature may not authorize payment of unauthorized claims.
§ 27 Changes in term or salary prohibited
No law shall extend the term or increase or diminish the salary of a public officer during their term.
§ 28 Change of permanent location of State Capital
The permanent location of the State Capital may not be changed except by a law approved by the voters.
§ 29 Appropriations for public assistance, military, scholarships
Appropriations may be made for public assistance, military service, and higher-education scholarships within stated limits.
§ 30 Charitable and educational appropriations
No appropriation shall be made to any charitable or educational institution not under the absolute control of the Commonwealth, except by a two-thirds vote of each house.
§ 31 Delegation of certain powers prohibited
The General Assembly may not delegate to any special commission or private body power to perform municipal functions or levy taxes.
§ 32 Certain local and special laws
The General Assembly shall pass no local or special law in enumerated cases where a general law can be made applicable.
Article IV The Executive
§ 1 Executive Department
The Executive Department consists of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor General, State Treasurer, and Secretary of the Commonwealth.
§ 2 Duties and election of Governor
The supreme executive power is vested in the Governor, who takes care that the laws are faithfully executed; the manner of election and resolution of ties or contests is prescribed.
§ 3 Terms of Governor; number of terms
The Governor serves four years and may not be elected to more than two consecutive terms.
§ 4 Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor is elected with the Governor, presides over the Senate, and succeeds to the office of Governor as provided.
§ 4.1 Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief law officer of the Commonwealth, elected to a four-year term, and exercises the powers prescribed by law.
§ 5 Qualifications
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General must be at least 30, and citizens and residents for seven years before election.
§ 6 Disqualification for these offices
No member of Congress or person holding a federal or State office (with exceptions) is eligible for these offices while so holding.
§ 7 Military power
The Governor is commander-in-chief of the Commonwealth's military forces, except when they are called into federal service.
§ 8 Appointing power
The Governor appoints officers whose selection is not otherwise provided for, by and with the consent of two-thirds or a majority of the Senate as specified.
§ 9 Pardoning power; Board of Pardons
The Governor may grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations, on the recommendation of the Board of Pardons in specified cases.
§ 10 Information from officials
The Governor may require information in writing from officers of the executive departments on any subject relating to their duties.
§ 11 Messages to the General Assembly
The Governor informs the General Assembly of the condition of the Commonwealth and recommends measures for their consideration.
§ 12 Convening and adjourning the Assembly
The Governor may convene the General Assembly in special session and, in case of disagreement on adjournment, may adjourn it.
§ 13 Lieutenant Governor acting as Governor
The Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor upon the Governor's death, resignation, removal, or disability.
§ 14 Vacancy in office of Lieutenant Governor
A vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor is filled as prescribed, with the President pro tempore of the Senate next in line.
§ 15 Approval of bills; vetoes
Every bill is presented to the Governor, who may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law; the Assembly may override a veto by a two-thirds vote of each house.
§ 16 Partial disapproval of appropriation bills
The Governor may disapprove any item of an appropriation bill while approving the remainder (line-item veto).
§ 17 Contested elections of these officers
Contested elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General are determined by a committee as provided by law.
§ 18 Terms of Auditor General and State Treasurer
The Auditor General and State Treasurer are elected to four-year terms with limits on re-election.
§ 19 State seal; commissions
The Great Seal is kept by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and commissions are issued in the name of the Commonwealth.
§ 20 Disaster emergency management
The Governor may declare and manage disaster emergencies, subject to legislative concurrence and limits on duration.
Article V The Judiciary
§ 1 Unified judicial system
The judicial power is vested in a unified judicial system: the Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, courts of common pleas, and specified minor courts.
§ 2 Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court, with seven justices and general supervisory and administrative authority over all courts.
§ 3 Superior Court
The Superior Court is an intermediate appellate court of the number of judges provided by law.
§ 4 Commonwealth Court
The Commonwealth Court is an appellate court chiefly for cases involving the Commonwealth and its agencies.
§ 5 Courts of common pleas
Courts of common pleas are the general trial courts, organized by judicial district.
§ 6 Community courts; Philadelphia Municipal Court
Provides for optional community courts and the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
§ 7 Justices of the peace; magisterial districts
Provides for magisterial district judges within magisterial districts (formerly justices of the peace).
§ 8 Other courts
The General Assembly may establish or abolish courts inferior to the courts of common pleas.
§ 9 Right of appeal
There is a right of appeal from a court of record or administrative agency to an appellate court.
§ 10 Judicial administration
The Supreme Court prescribes general rules governing practice, procedure, and the conduct of all courts.
§ 11 Judicial districts; boundaries
The State is divided into judicial districts, whose boundaries the Assembly may alter.
§ 12 Qualifications of judges
Judges must be members of the bar and, except for magisterial district judges, residents of their district.
§ 13 Election of judges; vacancies
Justices and judges are elected at municipal elections; interim vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment with Senate consent.
§ 14 Judicial Qualifications Commission
Provides for the body that evaluates candidates for interim judicial appointment.
§ 15 Tenure of judges
Judges serve ten-year terms and may seek retention; magisterial district judges serve six years.
§ 16 Compensation and retirement
Judicial compensation is fixed by law and not diminished during a term; judges retire at the age fixed by law.
§ 17 Prohibited activities
Judges may not engage in prohibited political or business activities and are governed by a code of conduct.
§ 18 Suspension, removal, discipline
The Court of Judicial Discipline may suspend, remove, or otherwise sanction judges for misconduct, on charges from the Judicial Conduct Board.
Article VI Public Officers
§ 1 Selection of officers
Officers whose selection is not otherwise provided for are chosen as directed by law.
§ 2 Incompatible offices
No member of Congress or person holding a lucrative office may hold an incompatible office, subject to stated exceptions.
§ 3 Oath of office
Officers take an oath to support the U.S. and State Constitutions and to discharge their duties faithfully.
§ 4 Power of impeachment
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment.
§ 5 Trial of impeachments
Impeachments are tried by the Senate; conviction requires the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
§ 6 Officers liable to impeachment
The Governor and other civil officers are liable to impeachment for misbehavior in office.
§ 7 Removal of civil officers
Civil officers may be removed by impeachment, by the Governor on address of two-thirds of the Senate, or as otherwise provided.
Article VII Elections
§ 1 Qualifications of electors
Every citizen 18 or older who has met the residence requirements is entitled to vote at all elections.
§ 2 General election day
The general election is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years, unless otherwise provided.
§ 3 Municipal election day
Municipal officers are elected on the municipal election day in odd-numbered years.
§ 4 Method of elections; secrecy
All elections are by ballot or such other method as secures secrecy in voting.
§ 5 Electors privileged from arrest
Voters are privileged from arrest during their attendance at elections and going to and returning from them, except for serious crimes.
§ 6 Election and registration laws
Laws are enacted regulating elections and providing for the registration of electors.
§ 7 Bribery of electors
Any person guilty of bribery at elections is disqualified from office and from voting for a term of years.
§ 8 Witnesses in contested elections
In trials of contested elections, no person may withhold testimony on the ground of self-incrimination, but such testimony grants immunity.
§ 9 Fixing election districts
Townships and wards are divided into compact and convenient election districts.
§ 10 Viva voce elections
In elections by persons in a representative capacity, votes are given openly (viva voce) and not by secret ballot.
§ 11 Election officers
Election districts are staffed by election officers chosen as provided by law.
§ 12 Disqualification as election officer
Candidates and certain officeholders may not serve as election officers at their own election.
§ 13 Contested elections
The trial and determination of contested elections is by the courts of law or as otherwise directed by law.
§ 14 Absentee voting
The General Assembly provides for absentee voting by qualified electors unable to attend their polling place.
Article VIII Taxation and Finance
§ 1 Uniformity of taxation
All taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of subjects within the taxing authority's territorial limits.
§ 2 Exemptions and special provisions
The General Assembly may exempt certain property (public, religious, charitable, burial) and may authorize special tax provisions for the elderly, disabled, and low-income.
§ 3 Reciprocal exemptions
The Assembly may provide for reciprocal tax exemptions with other states.
§ 4 Public utilities
The real property of public utilities is subject to local taxation as provided by law.
§ 5 Exemption from taxation restricted
All laws exempting property from taxation, other than as authorized by this Constitution, are void.
§ 6 Taxation of corporations
The power to tax corporations and their property shall not be surrendered or suspended by any contract or grant.
§ 7 Commonwealth indebtedness
The Commonwealth may not incur debt except in limited categories (emergencies, capital projects approved by voters, and short-term borrowing).
§ 8 Commonwealth credit not to be pledged
The credit of the Commonwealth may not be pledged or loaned to any individual, company, or corporation.
§ 9 Municipal debt not assumed by Commonwealth
The Commonwealth may not assume the debt of any county, municipality, or corporation, except for defined disaster or public-purpose cases.
§ 10 Audit
The financial affairs of any entity receiving public funds are subject to audits as provided by law.
§ 11 Gasoline taxes and motor license fees restricted
Proceeds of motor fuel taxes and vehicle fees are used solely for the construction and maintenance of public highways and bridges.
§ 12 Governor's budget and financial plan
The Governor submits a balanced operating budget and a capital budget and financial plan to the General Assembly.
§ 13 Appropriations
Operating appropriations may not exceed the estimated revenues and available surplus for the fiscal period.
§ 14 Surplus
Surplus funds are applied as provided by law after appropriations are met.
§ 15 Project '70
Authorizes borrowing under the Project 70 land-acquisition program for recreation and conservation.
§ 16 Land and Water Conservation and Reclamation Fund
Authorizes borrowing for land and water conservation, reclamation, and related projects.
§ 17 Special emergency legislation
The Assembly may enact emergency legislation to meet public disasters and mine-subsidence or flood emergencies.
Article IX Local Government
§ 1 Local government
The General Assembly provides by general law for local government and may enact special laws only as this article permits.
§ 2 Home rule
Municipalities may adopt home-rule charters and thereafter exercise any power not denied by the Constitution, the charter, or the General Assembly.
§ 3 Optional plans
The Assembly provides optional forms of government that municipalities may adopt by referendum.
§ 4 County government
The Assembly provides for the government of counties, which may adopt home-rule charters or optional plans.
§ 5 Intergovernmental cooperation
Local governments may cooperate or contract with one another and with other governments in the exercise of their functions.
§ 6 Area government
The Assembly may provide for area governments serving regions comprising more than one municipality.
§ 7 Area-wide powers
Area governments exercise the powers granted to them for area-wide functions.
§ 8 Consolidation, merger, boundary change
Provides procedures for the consolidation, merger, or boundary change of municipalities, subject to voter approval.
§ 9 Appropriation for public purposes
Local governments may appropriate money for public purposes as authorized.
§ 10 Local government debt
Limits the debt local governments may incur without voter approval by reference to their tax base.
§ 11 Local reapportionment
Governing bodies elected by districts are reapportioned after each federal census.
§ 12 Philadelphia debt
Contains debt provisions specific to the City and County of Philadelphia.
§ 13 Abolition of county offices in Philadelphia
Abolishes specified county offices in Philadelphia and transfers their functions to the city.
§ 14 Definitions
Defines the terms used in the Local Government article (municipality, county, etc.).
Article X Private Corporations
§ 1 Certain unused charters void
Corporate charters under which organization has not occurred within a stated period are void.
§ 2 Charters subject to the Constitution
Existing corporate charters are accepted subject to the provisions of this Constitution.
§ 3 Revocation and amendment of charters
The General Assembly may revoke, alter, or amend corporate charters and general corporation laws.
§ 4 Compensation for property taken by corporations
Corporations exercising eminent domain must make just compensation for property taken or injured.
Article XI Amendments
§ 1 Proposal and adoption of amendments
Amendments proposed in the General Assembly must be agreed to by a majority of each house in two successive sessions, published, and then submitted to the voters; an amendment takes effect if approved by a majority voting on it. Emergency amendments may follow an expedited path in cases of major emergency.
Article Sch. Schedules (transitional)
§ J Schedule to the Judiciary Article
A set of transitional provisions implementing the 1968 reorganization of the courts — continuing then-sitting justices and judges, prothonotaries and clerks, magisterial districts, and pending matters into the unified judicial system. Largely spent once the reorganization was complete.
§ 1 Schedule No. 1 (adopted with the Constitution)
Transitional provisions setting when the Constitution took effect, keeping former laws in force where not inconsistent, and carrying over elections, officers, and courts. Largely spent.
§ 2 Schedule No. 2 (amendments of Nov. 2, 1909)
Adjusted the terms of certain public officers to align with amendments adopted in 1909. Spent.
Full, verbatim text at PA General Assembly