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Pennsylvania Statutes Title 1 Pa.C.S.A. General Provisions § 1921. Legislative intent controls

Current as of January 01, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) 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) 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) When the words of the 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.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 1 Pa.C.S.A. General Provisions § 1921. Legislative intent controls - last updated January 01, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-1-pacsa-general-provisions/pa-csa-sect-1-1921/

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