Section 521. Notice to Attorney General of Challenge to Constitutionality of Statute

(a) Notice.—It shall be the duty of a party who draws in question the constitutionality of any statute in any matter in an appellate court to which the Commonwealth or any officer thereof, acting in his official capacity, is not a party, upon the filing of the record, or as soon thereafter as the question is raised in the appellate court, to give immediate notice in writing to the Attorney General of Pennsylvania of the existence of the question; together with a copy of the pleadings or other portion of the record raising the issue, and to file proof of service of such notice.

(b) Status of Attorney General.—The Attorney General may be heard on the question of the constitutionality of the statute involved without formal intervention. If the Attorney General files a brief concerning the question the Commonwealth shall thereafter be deemed to be an intervening party in the matter.

Note

Based on Pa.R.Civ.P. 235 and Fed. Rules App. Proc. 44. The provisions of subdivision (b) are intended to place the Commonwealth in a position to obtain review in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or the Supreme Court of the United States of an adverse decision on the constitutional question.