Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 732: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for relief and providing for shared telephone plans.

HB 732 amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to help domestic violence victims gain independence from abusers tied to shared telephone plans. The bill requires courts to order abusers to remove victims from shared phone contracts within three days and cover any termination fees. It also mandates telecommunications providers to let victims opt out without fees or penalties when presenting valid documentation like a protection order or police report, and to provide a new phone number within 24 hours. This directly affects domestic violence victims who are financially or contractually linked to abusers through shared phone accounts. The law applies to phone plans entered into on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates courts to remove abusers from victims' phone plans and cover fees, enhancing victim safety and reducing barriers to escape domestic violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1286: An Act amending the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197), known as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act, further providing for definitions; providing for training requirements for public lodging establishments and for training requirements for third-party listing platforms and rental operators; further providing for enforcement, for violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative penalties and for criminal penalties; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

HB 1286 requires human trafficking awareness training for employees at hotels, motels, and similar public lodging establishments (defined as facilities offering >10 rooms for rent) and for workers contracted by third-party providers serving these locations. It also mandates similar training for short-term rental operators (like Airbnb hosts) and platforms listing such rentals. The training must cover identifying trafficking signs, legal definitions, reporting procedures, and differences between labor and sex trafficking in lodging contexts, with records maintained for two years. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will approve and list free training programs online to meet these requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates trafficking awareness training for lodging/rental workers, enhancing victim identification and reporting to law enforcement - directly supporting criminal justice efforts against trafficking.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 13, 2025

SB 964: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for application of international law.

SB 964 clarifies Pennsylvania courts and agencies cannot apply international law if it violates constitutional rights under the U.S. or Pennsylvania constitutions. It prohibits courts from enforcing international law that infringes on guaranteed rights like due process or free speech, while excluding treaties and federal laws from this restriction. The bill creates whistleblower protections for those reporting violations and requires annual reports to the legislature on complaints. These changes aim to ensure state judicial decisions align with constitutional protections without altering existing enforcement of foreign judgments or treaties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects constitutional rights (due process/free speech) in courts by prohibiting application of international law that infringes them, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice.90% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 1117: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, further providing for powers and duties.

HB 1117 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to redefine the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' responsibilities for addressing substance use disorders. The department must now develop a comprehensive State plan coordinating prevention, treatment, research, and education across all state agencies and local communities - including health, law enforcement, education, and workforce sectors - to avoid duplication. The plan requires annual review and updates, and mandates the department to provide assistance to local governments while collaborating with medical professionals on drug use guidelines. This change formalizes existing coordination efforts under a unified framework, directly affecting state agencies and local entities managing substance use disorder services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates coordinated treatment/prevention across law enforcement and health sectors, aligning with reform indicators by reducing criminalization of substance use through rehabilitation focus.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coordinated state plan for substance use disorder treatment across health sectors, advancing public health services and reducing service duplication.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 837: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for limit on handgun purchases; and establishing the Violence Prevention Account.

HB 837 limits handgun purchases and sales in Pennsylvania to one per person within any 30-day period, applying to most individuals but excluding licensed dealers, collectors, law enforcement, correctional facilities, security companies, antique firearms, and documented cases of stolen or lost handguns (with specific reporting requirements). It establishes the Violence Prevention Account, funded by fines from violations, to support youth violence prevention programs and law enforcement training grants. Sellers must conduct a purchase history check and inform buyers about the 30-day limit and penalties. Violations are misdemeanors for first offenses and felonies for repeat offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits handgun sales to reduce violence and funds youth prevention programs via Violence Prevention Account, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 498: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for emergency relief by minor judiciary.

HB 498 updates Pennsylvania's emergency protection order process for domestic abuse cases. It clarifies that temporary orders expire after one business day unless local court rules specify a 10-day limit or until a court hearing occurs. Hearing officers must now provide victims with information about local domestic violence resources, free legal aid, and how to report order violations. The bill also requires these orders to be entered into the statewide registry for tracking and mandates courts to schedule hearings to review orders until a final decision is made.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies emergency protection orders, mandates victim resource info and registry entry to enhance domestic violence case handling within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 6, 2025

HR 280: A Resolution directing the Department of Corrections to conduct an environmental study of each State correctional institution to determine if individuals housed in each State correctional institution are being exposed to harmful, hazardous or unsanitary conditions and to ensure that individuals housed in each State correctional institution are receiving clean air and pure water.

HR 280 is a resolution requiring Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to conduct environmental studies at all state correctional facilities. The studies must identify health hazards like poor air quality, mold, pests, or unsafe water, and assess their impact on both incarcerated individuals and staff. The resolution mandates the Department to collaborate with environmental and health agencies, estimate repair costs, and provide improvement recommendations. The Department must submit a final report to legislative leaders within 24 months. This resolution directly affects all individuals housed in Pennsylvania's state correctional institutions by addressing environmental conditions they currently face.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates environmental studies in prisons to address health hazards (air, water, sanitation), improving correctional facility conditions as part of criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental studies to address air/water quality hazards in prisons, aligning with pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 44: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions and providing for victim determination statement and for State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator; and, in licensing of drivers, providing for restoration of operating privilege for victims of human trafficking.

SB 44 creates a formal process for confirming someone is a victim of human trafficking in Pennsylvania through a "victim determination statement" issued by authorized entities like legal aid organizations or victim service providers. This statement confirms the victim’s status and details the trafficking period and related offenses, which can be used to address legal consequences stemming from their victimization. The bill also establishes a State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator to coordinate statewide victim services and support. Victims with a valid statement can petition to restore driver’s licenses suspended due to offenses committed while trafficked, unless the department deems them a traffic safety risk.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes victim determination process to prevent legal consequences for trafficking victims, advancing victim protection in criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects trafficking victims (labor exploitation) via victim determination statement, addressing legal consequences from trafficking, advancing workers' rights as per topic definition.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 1765: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for insurance benefits for part-time police officers.

HB 1765 would require Pennsylvania municipalities to provide insurance benefits to part-time police officers. The bill amends state law to extend existing insurance coverage provisions - currently applicable to full-time municipal employees - to include part-time police officers specifically. This change would directly affect part-time police officers and the local governments that employ them, mandating that municipalities include these benefits in their employment terms. The bill is currently under review by the Local Government committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates municipalities to fund insurance benefits for part-time police, increasing public safety spending requirements.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends insurance benefits to part-time police officers, supporting law enforcement personnel welfare without direct reform impact.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends health insurance coverage to part-time police officers, expanding access to healthcare benefits for municipal employees under existing insurance provisions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends mandatory insurance benefits to part-time police officers, expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment policies95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 658: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for temporary police assistance in certain cities and townships.

HB 658 allows first-class cities and townships in Pennsylvania to temporarily hire retired police officers back for up to five years to address staffing shortages. Police departments must establish a program where retired officers complete an eight-week training course and agree not to have disciplinary records. Retired officers must choose between keeping their full retirement benefits or temporarily pausing them during participation, with credited service for retirement benefits applied upon return. The program expires six years after implementation and only applies to officers retiring before the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses police staffing shortages by enabling temporary hiring of retired officers with training requirements, directly strengthening law enforcement capacity in municipalities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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