HB 144 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for informal adjustment; and making an editorial change.

HB 144 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to adjust the process for "informal adjustment" in court cases involving minors. It directly affects youth and families involved in juvenile court by changing how cases can be resolved without formal court proceedings. The bill modifies specific provisions related to informal adjustment procedures within juvenile matters, while also making minor editorial corrections to the statute. This is a procedural change focused on streamlining court handling of certain juvenile cases, not a major policy shift.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Oct 10, 2025 Last action Feb 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN2617 → Printer's No. PN2858 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was updated from version 2617 to 2858, reflecting amendments made during the legislative process. The most significant substantive change is the expansion of victim notification requirements, which now explicitly include a 30-day deadline for victims to provide input and a new mechanism to request protective measures. Additionally, a new provision was added allowing victims to oppose diversion programs, requiring a court review hearing if they do so.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding victim involvement in juvenile diversion programs was expanded to include specific timelines and new rights for victims to oppose diversion.

REQUIREMENT

The notification process for victims was modified to include a mandatory 30-day window for victims to submit written or oral statements regarding the diversion program.

Victims were granted the specific right to request protective measures and reasonable accommodations as part of their input during the diversion process.

A new provision was added stating that if a victim opposes the juvenile's diversion, the court must schedule a review hearing, with a strict 10-day limit if the juvenile is in detention.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated to reflect the new printer's number (2858) and included the name Frankel in the list of sponsors.

Floor votes · House Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

197–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 198

Feb 3, 2026

D Democratic100

100 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican98

97 Yea 1

98% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Judiciary

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Feb 3, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (197-0-1)

house

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

Nov 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

Oct 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Children & Youth

lower

1 primary · 23 co-sponsors