HR 142 requires the Joint State Government Commission to study how juvenile detention centers operate in our state and issue a report with best practices and recommendations. The study will assess current management approaches to identify effective strategies for running these facilities. This resolution directly affects juvenile detention centers by mandating a formal review of their operational standards.
SB 302 creates a $100 fee for defendants when a protection order is granted without their agreement. The fee is distributed as follows: $25 to the Pennsylvania State Police for the protection order registry, $25 to the law enforcement agency that served the order, $25 to the county sheriff for related costs, and $25 to the Department of Human Services for domestic violence victim services. This bill directly affects individuals subject to protection orders and impacts how courts handle service of these orders. It became law on June 30, 2025 (Act No. 23 of 2025), modifying Pennsylvania’s domestic relations code to fund victim services and registry maintenance.
HB 355 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to strengthen protections for minors by updating the offenses of "corruption of minors" and "unlawful contact with minor." The bill specifically targets adults who exploit or sexually exploit minors through interactions like grooming or inappropriate contact, making these acts clearer and more severe under state law. It directly affects minors (ages 12-17) and adults who engage in prohibited conduct with them, including online interactions. The law increases penalties for these offenses by clarifying prohibited behaviors and strengthening sentencing guidelines, now effective as Act No. 5 of 2025.
HR 214 is a non-binding resolution designating May 2025 as "National Treatment Court Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes treatment courts, which provide specialized judicial oversight for individuals with substance use disorders or mental health needs, and encourages public awareness of these programs. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds; it serves solely as a symbolic gesture to highlight the work of treatment courts statewide. This resolution affects Pennsylvania by directing state officials and the public to acknowledge these courts during May 2025.
HB 1511 creates the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program within Pennsylvania's Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The bill requires the Commission to establish this program, which provides funding and guidance for law enforcement agencies to use technology like digital forensics and data analysis to solve violent crimes more effectively. It directly affects Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies handling violent incidents by mandating new reporting requirements and resource allocation for technology-driven investigations. The program aims to improve clearance rates for violent crimes through standardized, tech-enhanced investigative methods.
HB 960 creates a process for commercial drivers in Pennsylvania with lifetime disqualification to potentially regain their licenses after meeting specific requirements. To apply, drivers must complete a state-approved rehabilitation program (if disqualified for DUI/DWI), finish a driver improvement course, pay fees, provide proof of citizenship or residency, and wait at least 10 years since their disqualification. The bill also lists serious offenses - like drug trafficking, causing fatalities, or multiple DUIs - that permanently block reinstatement. Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation will review applications within 30 days, with eligibility strictly tied to avoiding recent violations of traffic or safety laws.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's pilot program for non-narcotic medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in prisons and parole settings. It removes outdated rules about the program's establishment, clarifies requirements for county participation, and specifies how grant funds can be used for treatment services. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency gains new duties to oversee the program, and the bill includes administrative updates to the state statutes governing it. The changes directly affect counties administering the pilot program and individuals in prison or parole under the MAT initiative.
HB 1200 establishes a comprehensive framework for the regulation and treatment of cannabis in Pennsylvania. It creates state-run Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores for sales and a licensing system for private cannabis businesses, including cultivators, processors, and transporters. The bill also provides for the expungement of certain past cannabis convictions and includes provisions for social and economic equity initiatives. It establishes a cannabis excise tax, dedicating revenue to funds for community reinvestment and substance use disorder prevention, and assigns oversight duties to state agencies like the Liquor Control Board.
HB 407 creates a new criminal offense for unauthorized location tracking in Pennsylvania, making it illegal to install or use technology (such as apps or devices) to monitor someone's location without their consent. Exceptions include law enforcement during investigations, parents tracking minor children, guardians monitoring incapacitated persons, and other specific scenarios like fleet vehicle tracking with proper consent. The bill does not change existing stalking laws but adds this new provision to address technology-enabled harassment. It directly affects individuals who might use location-tracking tools to harass others, while clarifying permitted uses for safety and legal purposes.
This bill establishes the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund to provide rewards of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who kill or cause the death of a law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania. It amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law to authorize the commission to administer the fund and offer these rewards for crimes covered under state murder and criminal homicide statutes targeting officers. The fund, which will be non-lapsing and funded by state appropriations, is intended to encourage public cooperation in solving violent crimes against law enforcement personnel.
