Pennsylvania § 1921 Legislative intent controls

Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 1921 — Legislative intent controls

Pennsylvania § 1921

JurisdictionPennsylvania

Title 1GENERAL PROVISIONS

PartPART V

Ch. 19RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Subch.CONSTRUCTION OF STATUTES

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Bluebook

1 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1921 (2026).

Text

(a)Object and scope of construction of statutes.--The object of all interpretation and construction of statutes is to ascertain and effectuate the intention of the General Assembly. Every statute shall be construed, if possible, to give effect to all its provisions.

(b)Unambiguous words control construction.--When the words of a statute are clear and free from all ambiguity, the letter of it is not to be disregarded under the pretext of pursuing its spirit.

(c)Matters considered in ascertaining intent.--When the words of a statute are not explicit, the intention of the General Assembly may be ascertained by considering, among other matters:

(1)The occasion and necessity for the statute.

(2)The circumstances under which it was enacted.

(3)The mischief to be remedied.

(4)The obj

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(a) Object and scope of construction of statutes.--The object of all interpretation and construction of statutes is to ascertain and effectuate the intention of the General Assembly. Every statute shall be construed, if possible, to give effect to all its provisions.

(b) Unambiguous words control construction.--When the words of a statute are clear and free from all ambiguity, the letter of it is not to be disregarded under the pretext of pursuing its spirit.

(c) Matters considered in ascertaining intent.--When the words of a statute are not explicit, the intention of the General Assembly may be ascertained by considering, among other matters:

(1) The occasion and necessity for the statute.

(2) The circumstances under which it was enacted.

(3) The mischief to be remedied.

(4) The object to be attained.

(5) The former law, if any, including other statutes upon the same or similar subjects.

(6) The consequences of a particular interpretation.

(7) The contemporaneous legislative history.

(8) Legislative and administrative interpretations of such statute.