Pennsylvania
State Constitution
Read the Full Constitution
Access the complete, current text of the Pennsylvania Constitution through the comprehensive 50 Constitutions database maintained by the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
View Pennsylvania Constitution →Source: 50constitutions.org
Overview
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1968 serves as the fundamental law of the state, establishing the framework for government and protecting the rights of its citizens.
History
Pennsylvania was admitted to the Union on December 12, 1787.
The current constitution was adopted in 1968. State constitutions are often amended more frequently than the federal Constitution, reflecting changing needs and values of state residents.
Structure of Government
Legislative
State Legislature
Executive
Governor & Cabinet
Judicial
State Courts
Bill of Rights
Like the U.S. Constitution, the Pennsylvania Constitution includes protections for individual rights and liberties. State constitutions often provide broader protections than the federal Constitution, serving as a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for rights.