Friday, October 30, 2026Verify to vote
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

5,365 laws of the 1870s

Constitution of 1838

  1. Relating to the fees of the sheriff of Dauphin county.

    Act 328 of 1870 · P.L. 333 · March 3, 1870 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act relating to side-walks in Wilkesbarre township, Luzerne county, approved the twenty-third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 329 of 1870 · P.L. 334 · March 3, 1870 · Scanned page

  3. To incorporate the State Bank.

    Act 330 of 1870 · P.L. 335 · March 3, 1870 · Scanned page

  4. Supplement to the act approved the thirtieth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, authorizing the appointing ef an auctioneer for Clinton county.

    Act 331 of 1870 · P.L. 337 · March 3, 1870 · Scanned page

  5. To annul the marriage contract between Thomas C. Miles and Annie, his wife.

    Act 332 of 1870 · P.L. 338 · March 3, 1870 · Scanned page

  6. Supplementing the charter of the Freehold Bank and Building Association of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 333 of 1870 · P.L. 339 · March 3, 1870 · Scanned page

  7. To change the venue in the cases of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania against E. B. Sherwood, Joseph Godfrey and Stephen N. Bradford, from the mayor's court of the city of Scranton to the court of general quarter session of the peace of the county of Luzerne.

    Act 334 of 1870 · P.L. 342 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  8. To define the limits and to organize the town of Bloomsburg.

    Act 335 of 1870 · P.L. 343 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  9. To authorize the board of school directors of the independent Stephens school district, in the township of West Brunswick, in the county of Schuylkill, to sell real estate.

    Act 336 of 1870 · P.L. 348 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  10. To incorporate the Warren Savings Bank.

    Act 338 of 1870 · P.L. 349 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia," approved the second day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, providing for the appointment of supervisors of highways.

    Act 387 of 1870 · P.L. 349 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  12. Supplement To an act to regulate medical practice in the counties of York, Indiana, Perry, Juniata, Adams, Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh and Elk, extending the same to the counties of Erie and Crawford.

    Act 339 of 1870 · P.L. 353 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  13. For the better prosecution of disorderly persons in the boroughs of Sharpsburg and Etna, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 340 of 1870 · P.L. 353 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  14. To increase the pay of supervisors of roads and township auditors in the counties of Beaver and Washington.

    Act 341 of 1870 · P.L. 354 · March 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  15. To incorporate the Cornrnonvrealth Co-operative Company of Pennsylvania.

    Act 342 of 1870 · P.L. 355 · March 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  16. Relative to hotel keepers holding or exercising the office of sheriff in the county of Carbon.

    Act 343 of 1870 · P.L. 356 · March 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  17. To regulate the time and place of holding the township elections in Rockhill township, Bucks county.

    Act 344 of 1870 · P.L. 357 · March 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  18. Authorizing the auditors and school board of Lower Saint Clair township, in Allegheny county, to levy and collect additional tax.

    Act 345 of 1870 · P.L. 358 · March 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  19. To provide for the appointment of a special detective by the district attorney of the county of Allegheny.

    Act 346 of 1870 · P.L. 359 · March 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  20. Extending the time for the commencement and completion of the Scotland and Mont Alto Railroad Company.

    Act 347 of 1870 · P.L. 360 · March 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to repeal an act, entitled 'An Act to abolish special courts in Fayette county, and to transfer the causes therein depending into the court of common pleas,' " approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act 348 of 1870 · P.L. 360 · March 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  22. To incorporate the West Chester and Phoenixville Railroad Company, in Chester county.

    Act 349 of 1870 · P.L. 361 · March 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  23. For the relief of the commissioners appointed by an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road from Marsh's Corners, M'Kean county, to the Philadelphia and Erie railroad," approved the twenty-ninth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act 350 of 1870 · P.L. 363 · March 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  24. To alter and enlarge the boundaries of the county of Elk.

    Act 351 of 1870 · P.L. 363 · March 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the Quakertown Savings Bank of Bucks county.

    Act 352 of 1870 · P.L. 364 · March 10, 1870 · Scanned page

  26. To authorize the trustees and contributors to the West Chester Academy to become a state normal school.

    Act 353 of 1870 · P.L. 367 · March 10, 1870 · Scanned page

  27. To make legal and valid the capital stock of the Somer^t and Mineral Point Railroad Company, although live dollars were not paid at the time the subscription was made.

    Act 354 of 1870 · P.L. 371 · 1870 · Scanned page

  28. Granting a gratuity and an annuity to Elizabeth Anderson, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, a widow of a soldier of the war one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 355 of 1870 · P.L. 371 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  29. Vacating certain portions of streets in Bonewitz's addition to the borough of Pinegrove.

    Act 356 of 1870 · P.L. 372 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  30. Supplementary to the act relating to county treasurer, and prescribing further duties in Allegheny county.

    Act 357 of 1870 · P.L. 373 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  31. To incorporate the Harrisburg Patent Screw Post Manufacturing Company.

    Act 358 of 1870 · P.L. 375 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  32. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad Company,*' approved the seventeenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and thirtyone, to authorize and empower the said company to purchase and • hold certain real estate.

    Act 359 of 1870 · P.L. 377 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  33. Supplement to an act incorporating the borough of Sharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny, approved April fifteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, extending the existing laws of the city of Allegheny in relation to the licensing of vehicles, et cetera.

    Act 360 of 1870 · P.L. 378 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  34. Granting a gratuity and annuity to Phebe Weakly, of Butler county, Pennsylvania, a widow of a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 361 of 1870 · P.L. 378 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act incorporating the borough of Sharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny, approved April fifteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty -eight, extending the existing laws of the city of Allegheny in relation to the opening, widening, grading and paving of streets, lanes and alleys, to said borough.

    Act 362 of 1870 · P.L. 379 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  36. To increase the salary of the assistant warden of the Allegheny county prison, and to enlarge the powers of the board of inspectors of the Allegheny county prison.

    Act 363 of 1870 · P.L. 380 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Wilkesbarre Market Company, approved March thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 364 of 1870 · P.L. 380 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  38. To and act to incorporate the Union Cemetery Association of Lebanon, et cetera, passed March thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

    Act 365 of 1870 · P.L. 381 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to hawking, peddling and huckstering in the counties of Indiana and Clearfield," approved April thirteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, exempting articles, goods and merchandise, manufactured in said counties, from provisions of original act.

    Act 366 of 1870 · P.L. 382 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Grand Lodge of the United Order of the Sacred Temple of Liberty.

    Act 367 of 1870 · P.L. 382 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  41. Supplement to the act incorporating the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia, granted February twenty-fourth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.

    Act 368 of 1870 · P.L. 384 · 1870 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to merge and consolidate the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia and the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania into one corporation," approved the second day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 369 of 1870 · P.L. 385 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Orphans' Soeiety of Philadelphia," approved January twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, repealing the limits of the income Of said society.

    Act 370 of 1870 · P.L. 385 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  44. To extend the time for filing claims for assessments for cost of a sewer on Fifth avenue, Pittsburg, and continuing the lien thereof.

    Act 371 of 1870 · P.L. 386 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  45. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Wyoming County Savings Bank," approved twenty-second March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 372 of 1870 · P.L. 387 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  46. Supplementary to-an act to incorporate the Artisans' Savings Bank, approved seventh of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 373 of 1870 · P.L. 387 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  47. Granting an annuity and gratuity to Elizabeth Reed, widow7 of John Reed, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 374 of 1870 · P.L. 388 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  48. OF THE SESSION OP 1870. 389 No. 3T5. Supplemental to the charter of the Savings Fund Society of Germantown and its vicinity.

    Act 375 of 1870 · P.L. 389 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  49. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act further supplemental to the act relative to the elections of this commonwealth," approved April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 376 of 1870 · P.L. 389 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  50. Supplementary to the act incorporating the Co-operative Life Insurance Company of Western Pennsylvania, approved February twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 377 of 1870 · P.L. 390 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  51. Relative to fees of justices of the peace and constables in the county of Venango.

    Act 318 of 1870 · P.L. 391 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act providing for the construction of a sidewalk on the north side of Main street, in the North district of Wilkesbarre township, in Luzerne county, between North street and Hollenback avenue," approved February tenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 392 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  53. To authorize the erection of a poor house in the townships of Auburn and Hush, in the county of Susquehanna.

    Act 380 of 1870 · P.L. 393 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  54. To authorize the erection of a poor house in the township of New Milford, in the county of Susquehanna.

    Act 381 of 1870 · P.L. 394 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  55. In relation to the collection of state and county taxes irf the township of Ontelawnee, in the county of Berks.

    Act 382 of 1870 · P.L. 395 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Hanover Gas Company.

    Act 383 of 1870 · P.L. 395 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  57. To regulate appeals from judgments of justices of the peace in th8 county of Venango, and to give them power to impose payment of costs in certain criminal cases.

    Act 384 of 1870 · P.L. 397 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  58. Authorizing the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of Sun* bury to borrow money and issue bonds, and execute a mortgage as security therefor.

    Act 385 of 1870 · P.L. 398 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  59. To incorporate the General Council of the Miners' and Laborers Benevolent Association of the State of Pennsylvania.

    Act 386 of 1870 · P.L. 399 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  60. To extend the limits of the borough of Manorville, in the county ol Armstrong.

    Act 387 of 1870 · P.L. 400 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  61. To incorporate the Emaus Iron Company.

    Act 388 of 1870 · P.L. 401 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  62. To extend the charter of the Carlisle Deposit Bank.

    Act 389 of 1870 · P.L. 403 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  63. To authorize Jacob H. Wright, one of the j ustices of the peace of Saint Clair township, Bedford county, to retain his docket and give transcripts therefrom.

    Act 390 of 1870 · P.L. 404 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  64. To revive certain warrants issued for the collection of bounty taxes in Halifax township, Dauphin county.

    Act 391 of 1870 · P.L. 404 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  65. Relative to wooden buildings on State street, borough of Sharon, county of Mercer.

    Act 392 of 1870 · P.L. 405 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  66. Extending the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relating to roads in Worth township, Butler county," to Conoquenessing and Brady townships, in said county.

    Act 393 of 1870 · P.L. 406 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  67. Relating to the election of road supervisors in Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county.

    Act 394 of 1870 · P.L. 406 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  68. To incorporate the Chester County Mutual Life Insurance Company

    Act 395 of 1870 · P.L. 407 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  69. Authorizing the township of Valley, Chester county, to levy additional road tax.

    Act 396 of 1870 · P.L. 409 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  70. Authorizing the school directors of Youghiogheny independent school district in Sewickley township, Westmoreland county, to levy and collect a per capita tax for school purposes.

    Act 398 of 1870 · P.L. 410 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  71. Supplement To an act for the relief of Abigail Hartford, approved March seventeenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 399 of 1870 · P.L. 411 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  72. Increasing the fees of witnesses subpoenaed before justices of the peace and aldermen in the county of Delaware.

    Act 400 of 1870 · P.L. 412 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  73. To take the estate of John C. Fisher, deceased, out of the operation of the statutes relating to escheats, and to give it to his wife's children.

    Act 401 of 1870 · P.L. 412 · March 11, 1870 · Scanned page

  74. Creating the borough of South Chester, in the county of Delaware.

    Act 402 of 1870 · P.L. 413 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  75. Relative to the time of holding the May term of the courts in the county of Lawrence.

    Act 403 of 1870 · P.L. 415 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  76. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Charter House Association, approved the third day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty

    Act 404 of 1870 · P.L. 415 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  77. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Marsh Creek Improvement Company.

    Act 405 of 1870 · P.L. 416 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  78. To temporarily vacate parts of streets in the city of Erie and county of Erie.

    Act 406 of 1870 · P.L. 416 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  79. For the better protection of game and insectivorous birds within the county of Berks.

    Act 407 of 1870 · P.L. 417 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  80. To authorize the burgess and town council of Apollo borough, Armstrong county, to levy a street tax, and compel property holders to set curb-stones and lay pavements in front of their property.

    Act 408 of 1870 · P.L. 419 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  81. Relative to fishing in the streams, lakas, canals and reservoirs in the county of Crawford.

    Act 409 of 1870 · P.L. 420 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  82. Supplement to an act to prohibit taking or killing pickerel in Lathrop's lake, in Dimock township, in Susquehanna county.

    Act 410 of 1870 · P.L. 421 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  83. To vacate Primrose alley, from Seventh street, one hundred and sixty feet parallel with North, in the city of Harrisburg.

    Act 411 of 1870 · P.L. 421 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  84. Authorizing the school directors of Salisbury borough, Somerset county, to levy an additional tax for building purposes.

    Act 412 of 1870 · P.L. 422 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  85. For the relief of Elizabeth Houk, widow of John Houk, a soldier oi the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 413 of 1870 · P.L. 422 · March 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Ashland Gas and Water Company," approved the fourth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 414 of 1870 · P.L. 423 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  87. To incorporate the Vulcan Fire Insurance Company, to be located in Newville, Cumberland county.

    Act 415 of 1870 · P.L. 424 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  88. To repeal the Lenox road law in the township of Jessup, in Susquehanna county.

    Act 416 of 1870 · P.L. 425 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  89. To permit the construction of a switch to connect with the Lewisburg, Centre and Spruce Creek railroad, in the borough of Lewisburg.

    Act 417 of 1870 · P.L. 425 · 1870 · Scanned page

  90. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for the further protection of the wholesale and retail merchants in the city and county of Lancaster," extending the same to the comity of York.

    Act 418 of 1870 · P.L. 426 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  91. To empower the Tyrone Gas and Water Company to borrow money and issue bonds, and convert the same into preferred stock of said company.

    Act 419 of 1870 · P.L. 427 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  92. To cause certain sidewalks to be graded. To pave and make gutters. Width, &c, of pavements. To open Mountain street certain feet in width. Damages. Grades to he regulated by commissioners. Commissioners to be sworn. Compensation. To keep account of costs and expenditures. Amounts to be collect ed ott'property holders. To be a lien. To grade and pave certain streets in Linglestown, Dauphin county.

    Act 420 of 1870 · P.L. 428 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  93. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to increase the pay of the assessors and supervisors of Armstrong, York and Westmoreland eounties," approved the twenty-third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 421 of 1870 · P.L. 429 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  94. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "A supplement to an act relating to the lien of mechanics and others upon buildings, so far as relates to certain counties," approved the first day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, to the counties of Carbon and Monroe.

    Act 422 of 1870 · P.L. 430 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement To an act for the protection and preservation of fish within the county of Berks, approved the second day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 423 of 1870 · P.L. 430 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  96. To prevent cattle, horses, mules, sheep and swine from running at large in Middlesex, Butler and Mercer townships, and Harrisville borough, Butler county.

    Act 424 of 1870 · P.L. 431 · March 15, 1870 · Scanned page

  97. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act amending the charter of the municipal corporation of the city of Lancaster, and dividing the same into nine wards," approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 425 of 1870 · P.L. 432 · March 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  98. To prevent cattle, horses, sheep and hogs from running at large In Farmington and Columbus townships, Warren county.

    Act 426 of 1870 · P.L. 433 · March 15, 1870 · Scanned page

  99. To incorporate the Stockport Bridge Company.

    Act 427 of 1870 · P.L. 434 · March 15, 1870 · Scanned page

  100. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act incorporating the city of New Castle, in the county of Lawrence," approved February twenty-fifth, one thousand eight hundred and sixt3f-nine. OF THE BOUNDARIES.

    Act 428 of 1870 · P.L. 436 · March 15, 1870 · Scanned page

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.