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The 1776 Philadelphia ConstitutionThe laws of the land, set down plainly — and put to the people, one provision at a time.

The Pennsylvania Register

Every law Pennsylvania has passed

55,382 acts of the General Assembly, from William Penn’s first assembly in 1682 to 2026. Until 1874 much of the Assembly’s work was “special” legislation for a single person, company or town: a divorce, a road, a tavern license. That year’s constitution barred local and special laws on most subjects, and the yearly count fell; lately it is about 150.

Not yet complete · The state has not yet digitized its session laws act by act for most years between 1851 and 1949. We filled what we could from scans of the printed volumes: every year from 1851 to 1875 and most sessions from 1877 to 1907. A computer read those titles, so they can contain misspellings, and a few acts in each year were missed. Most years from 1909 to 1949 are still thin (marked below). Every other year is complete, from 1682 through 1850 and from 1950 to today.

Clear

178 laws of the 1700s

Province of Pennsylvania

  1. Concerning liberty of conscience

    Ch. 1 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 3 · 1700 · Original text

  2. Against riots, rioters and riotous sports, plays and games

    Ch. 2 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 4 · 1700 · Original text

  3. Against adultery, fornication, etc.

    Ch. 3 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 5 · 1700 · Original text

  4. Against rape or ravishment

    Ch. 4 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 7 · 1700 · Original text

  5. Against incest, sodomy and bestiality

    Ch. 5 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 8 · 1700 · Original text

  6. Against bigamy

    Ch. 6 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 8 · 1700 · Original text

  7. Against robbing and stealing

    Ch. 7 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 9 · 1700 · Original text

  8. About boats and canoes

    Ch. 8 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 10 · 1700 · Original text

  9. Against breaking into houses

    Ch. 9 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 11 · 1700 · Original text

  10. Against firing of houses, etc.

    Ch. 10 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 12 · 1700 · Original text

  11. Against forcible entry

    Ch. 11 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 12 · 1700 · Original text

  12. Against menacing and assault and battery

    Ch. 12 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 13 · 1700 · Original text

  13. Against murder

    Ch. 13 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 14 · 1700 · Original text

  14. Against sedition, spreading false news and defamation

    Ch. 14 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 14 · 1700 · Original text

  15. Against removing landmarks

    Ch. 15 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 15 · 1700 · Original text

  16. Against defacers of charters, etc.

    Ch. 16 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 16 · 1700 · Original text

  17. County seals and against counterfeiting hands and seals

    Ch. 17 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 16 · 1700 · Original text

  18. Regulating the interest of money

    Ch. 18 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 17 · 1700 · Original text

  19. Privileges to a freeman

    Ch. 19 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 18 · 1700 · Original text

  20. Against buying land of the natives

    Ch. 20 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 18 · 1700 · Original text

  21. Directing how petty offenses shall be punished

    Ch. 21 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 19 · 1700 · Original text

  22. Names of days and months

    Ch. 22 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 19 · 1700 · Original text

  23. Better provision for the poor within this province and territories

    Ch. 23 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 20 · 1700 · Original text

  24. Recording of deeds

    Ch. 24 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 21 · 1700 · Original text

  25. Preventing of clandestine marriages

    Ch. 25 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 21 · 1700 · Original text

  26. Binding to the peace

    Ch. 26 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 23 · 1700 · Original text

  27. Limiting the presentments of the grand jury

    Ch. 27 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 24 · 1700 · Original text

  28. Ascertaining the number of members of assembly and to regulate the elections

    Ch. 28 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 24 · 1700 · Original text

  29. Attachments

    Ch. 29 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 27 · 1700 · Original text

  30. Naturalization

    Ch. 30 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 29 · 1700 · Original text

  31. Ascertaining the descent of lands and better disposition of the estates of persons intestate

    Ch. 31 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 31 · 1700 · Original text

  32. Raising county levies

    Ch. 32 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 34 · 1700 · Original text

  33. Directing the attests of several officers and ministers

    Ch. 33 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 39 · 1700 · Original text

  34. Better attendance of the justices on the several courts of judicature within this province and territories

    Ch. 34 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 42 · 1700 · Original text

  35. Against jurors absenting after being lawfully summoned to attend the several courts of judicature within this province and territories

    Ch. 35 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 43 · 1700 · Original text

  36. Determining of debts under 40 shillings

    Ch. 36 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 43 · 1700 · Original text

  37. Prevention of immoderate fines

    Ch. 37 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 44 · 1700 · Original text

  38. Defalcations

    Ch. 38 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 44 · 1700 · Original text

  39. Against speaking in derogation of courts

    Ch. 39 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1700 · Original text

  40. Apprizement of goods

    Ch. 40 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1700 · Original text

  41. Against barrators

    Ch. 41 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 46 · 1700 · Original text

  42. Oblige witnesses to give evidence and to prevent false swearing

    Ch. 42 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 47 · 1700 · Original text

  43. Confirming devises of lands and validity of nuncupative wills

    Ch. 43 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 48 · 1700 · Original text

  44. Preventing of the grievous sins of cursing and swearing within this province and territories

    Ch. 44 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 49 · 1700 · Original text

  45. Prevent all dueling and fighting of duels within this province and territories

    Ch. 45 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 51 · 1700 · Original text

  46. Empowering widows and administrators to sell so much of the lands of intestates as may be sufficient to clear their debts, etc.

    Ch. 46 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 51 · 1700 · Original text

  47. Preservation of the person of the proprietary and governor

    Ch. 47 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 52 · 1700 · Original text

  48. Taking lands in execution for the payment of debts where the sheriff cannot come at other effects to satisfy the same

    Ch. 48 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 53 · 1700 · Original text

  49. Better regulation of servants in this province and territories

    Ch. 49 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 54 · 1700 · Original text

  50. Erecting and establishing a post office

    Ch. 50 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 57 · 1700 · Original text

  51. Assize of bread

    Ch. 51 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 61 · 1700 · Original text

  52. Priority of payment to the inhabitants of this government

    Ch. 52 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 63 · 1700 · Original text

  53. Regulating of streets and water courses in the cities and towns of this government

    Ch. 53 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 65 · 1700 · Original text

  54. Preventing accidents that may happen by fire in the towns of Bristol (lately called Buckingham), Philadelphia, Germantown, Darby, Chester, Newcastle and Lewes within this government

    Ch. 54 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 67 · 1700 · Original text

  55. Empowering the justices in each county to lay out and confirm all roads except the King's highways and public roads

    Ch. 55 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 68 · 1700 · Original text

  56. Regulating and maintaining of fences

    Ch. 56 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 70 · 1700 · Original text

  57. Erecting of bridges and maintaining highways

    Ch. 57 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 73 · 1700 · Original text

  58. Against weirs across creeks and rivers

    Ch. 58 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 75 · 1700 · Original text

  59. Against unseasonable firing of woods

    Ch. 59 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 75 · 1700 · Original text

  60. Erecting and regulating the prices of ferries

    Ch. 60 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 76 · 1700 · Original text

  61. Trial of Negroes

    Ch. 61 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 77 · 1700 · Original text

  62. Prevent sickly vessels coming into this government

    Ch. 62 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 80 · 1700 · Original text

  63. Sitting of orphans' courts

    Ch. 63 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 81 · 1700 · Original text

  64. Requiring all masters and commanders of all ships and vessels to make report at the town of Newcastle that are or shall be bound to and from the sea

    Ch. 64 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 81 · 1700 · Original text

  65. Levying of fines

    Ch. 65 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 83 · 1700 · Original text

  66. Departers out of this province

    Ch. 66 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 83 · 1700 · Original text

  67. Against mixing and adulterating strong liquors

    Ch. 67 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 84 · 1700 · Original text

  68. Against scolding

    Ch. 68 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 85 · 1700 · Original text

  69. Killing of wolves

    Ch. 69 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 85 · 1700 · Original text

  70. Concerning bills of exchange

    Ch. 70 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 86 · 1700 · Original text

  71. Regulating of money weights and stamping the same

    Ch. 71 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 86 · 1700 · Original text

  72. Appointing the rate of the money or coin within this province and territories and preventing the clipping of the same

    Ch. 72 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 87 · 1700 · Original text

  73. Regulating weights and measures

    Ch. 73 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 88 · 1700 · Original text

  74. Prevent the sale of ill-tanned leather and working the same into shoes and boots

    Ch. 74 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 90 · 1700 · Original text

  75. Keeping a registry in religious societies

    Ch. 75 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 91 · 1700 · Original text

  76. Viewing pipe-staves

    Ch. 76 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 92 · 1700 · Original text

  77. Preventing of swine running at large

    Ch. 77 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 93 · 1700 · Original text

  78. No public house or inn within this government to be kept without license

    Ch. 78 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 93 · 1700 · Original text

  79. Better assessing and raising of county levies for the present year 1700

    Ch. 79 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 94 · 1700 · Original text

  80. Ascertaining the dimensions of cask and concerning the true packing of meat for transportation

    Ch. 80 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 95 · 1700 · Original text

  81. Cutting timber trees

    Ch. 81 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 98 · 1700 · Original text

  82. Against drunkenness and healths-drinking

    Ch. 82 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 99 · 1700 · Original text

  83. Bailing of prisoners and about imprisonment

    Ch. 83 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 99 · 1700 · Original text

  84. Against pirates and sea-robbers

    Ch. 84 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 100 · 1700 · Original text

  85. Granting an impost upon wines, rum, beer, ale, cider, etc. imported, retailed and sold within this province and territories

    Ch. 85 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 105 · 1700 · Original text

  86. Raising of 1 penny per pound and 6 shillings per head for support of the government and payment of debts and defraying the necessary charges thereof

    Ch. 86 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 109 · 1700 · Original text

  87. Granting and raising to the proprietary and governor the sum of 2,000 pounds upon the clear value of all real and personal estates and upon the polls of all freemen within this province and counties annexed

    Ch. 87 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 114 · 1700 · Original text

  88. Effectual establishment and confirmation of the freeholders of this province and territories, their heirs and assigns, in their lands and tenements

    Ch. 88 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 118 · 1700 · Original text

  89. Erecting a bridge over the creek at Chester in the county of Chester

    Ch. 89 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 124 · 1700 · Original text

  90. Country produce to be current pay in the territories of the province of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 90 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 126 · 1700 · Original text

  91. Continuing and confirming the laws hereafter expressed

    Ch. 91 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 127 · 1700 · Original text

  92. Court proceedings and summons

    Ch. 92 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 128 · 1700 · Original text

  93. Trials by twelve men

    Ch. 93 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 128 · 1700 · Original text

  94. Arrests and making debtors pay by servitude

    Ch. 94 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 129 · 1700 · Original text

  95. False imprisonment

    Ch. 95 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 131 · 1700 · Original text

  96. Acknowledging deeds in court

    Ch. 96 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 131 · 1700 · Original text

  97. Seven years' possession

    Ch. 97 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 132 · 1700 · Original text

  98. Summoning of juries

    Ch. 98 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 132 · 1700 · Original text

  99. Manner of giving evidence and against such as lie in conversation

    Ch. 99 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 133 · 1700 · Original text

  100. Appeals to the provincial courts

    Ch. 100 · 2 Pa. Stat. at Large 134 · 1700 · Original text

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

Province of Pennsylvania1682–1775

1682–1801: the Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania. 1802–1974: the Pamphlet Laws (Laws of the General Assembly). Both from the scans published by the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau, which link to each original page. 1975 onward: the General Assembly’s own record of legislation enacted, which adds approval dates and bill numbers. Years the Bureau hasn’t indexed act by act come from the annual Laws of the General Assembly as scanned by the Internet Archive and Google Books: we split each volume into acts by their approval lines, and each one links to its scanned page. Before 1975 each year’s appropriation acts were scanned as one bundle, so they aren’t listed one by one. Proposed constitutional amendments, vetoed bills and reorganization plans are left out. Subject lines are the Bureau’s and the General Assembly’s, not the laws’ full titles.