SB 54 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in limitation of time, further providing for six months limitation; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity, for limitations on damages and for exceptions to governmental immunity and providing for claims for compensation for wrongful conviction; in general administration, providing for services after wrongful conviction; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of department.

SB 54 establishes a new process for individuals wrongfully convicted in Pennsylvania to seek financial compensation. To qualify, claimants must prove actual innocence through overturned convictions, pardons, or acquittals after retrial, and have served time for the crime. The bill creates a petition process in Commonwealth Court (without requiring attorneys) and specifies eligibility criteria (e.g., excluding accomplices or those who committed perjury) and compensation amounts based on time served. It also modifies immunity laws to ensure wrongful conviction claims aren't blocked by government defenses.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 21, 2025 Last action Mar 21, 2025