An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions and for disposition of delinquent child.
HB 1385 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to clarify definitions and update how courts handle cases involving young people who commit offenses. It directly affects juvenile offenders, courts, and child welfare agencies by standardizing terms like "delinquent child" and specifying court procedures for dispositions. Key provisions include revising legal definitions to reduce ambiguity and establishing clearer guidelines for court decisions on supervision, treatment, or other outcomes for minors. The bill aims to create more consistent and transparent processes within the juvenile justice system. (Note: The bill is currently "laid on the table" and not actively moving forward in the legislative process.)
Bill status
in committee
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jun 10, 2025
Last action Nov 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Printer's No. PN1890
→
Printer's No. PN2592
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill revision updates the Pennsylvania juvenile justice statute to clarify definitions, expand eligibility for certain protections, and add strict limitations on financial payments from children and their families. The changes aim to ensure fairness in restitution processes and prevent excessive financial burdens on minors.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include children under 21 who committed delinquent acts before age 18, and the applicability of certain protections was clarified for children with disabilities.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of 'child' to include those under 21 who committed delinquency before age 18, broadening who qualifies for juvenile court protections.
Added specific exclusions for summary offenses and crimes where children have prior criminal convictions.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new prohibition preventing courts from ordering any additional payments from children or their parents/guardians beyond specific restitution and fine amounts.
Revised the restitution process to require hearings on the child's ability to pay and to exclude parents' income from consideration.
Strengthened educational stability requirements to ensure children with disabilities maintain access to appropriate education during placement.
Floor votes · House Nov 12, 2025
How they voted
25–1
Passed
Total votes 26
Nov 12, 2025
D
Democratic14
100% Yea
R
Republican12
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Nov 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Nov 12, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (25-1)
house
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 25 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Emily Kinkead
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Sanchez
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Waxman
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Kazeem
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Pielli
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Rabb
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Frankel
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Miller
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Williams
DDemocratic
Co
Danielle Otten
DDemocratic
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