Oct. 22, 2019
HARRISBURG – A bill to give landowners, particularly farmers, more options to post their property as areas not to trespass on was approved by the House Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support on Tuesday, Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-York/Cumberland) said.
Under Keefer’s
House Bill 1772, landowners would be able to use special purple paint to mark their property boundaries and alert others not to trespass on it. The paint, which is in use in other parts of the country, is specially labeled and available in stores.
“A landowner’s only option to post his or her land now is to use signs, some of which are made of cardboard, that deteriorate over the years, or are removed either by accident or through nefarious acts,” Keefer said. “This bill gives landowners another viable, cost-effective option to dissuade trespassing.”
Under current law, trespassing on agricultural and other open land is prohibited if the property is “posted as provided by law.”
Keefer’s bill provides an update to the state’s Criminal Trespass statute to allow for the use of commercially available purple paints. The bill also specifies that the stripes must be at least 8 inches long and 8 inches wide, between 3 and 5 feet above the ground on trees or posts and are placed no more than 100 feet apart.
“A more permanent means of marking property lines will help cut down on confusion the general public may experience when enjoying the outdoors and encounter an area that may be posted as no trespassing,” Keefer said.
House Bill 1772 is now in the full House for consideration.
Representative Dawn Keefer
92nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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