Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 9, 2026

HB 2122: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of indecent exposure.

HB 2122 amends Pennsylvania's indecent exposure statute (Title 18, Section 3127) to change how offenses are graded based on whether minors (under 16) were present and the offender's prior record. If minors were present, a first offense becomes a misdemeanor of the first degree (previously second degree), and a second or subsequent offense becomes a felony of the third degree (previously a misdemeanor). For cases without minors present, a second offense becomes a misdemeanor of the first degree (previously second degree), and third or subsequent offenses become felonies. The bill directly affects individuals committing indecent exposure in Pennsylvania, altering penalties based on victim age and repeat offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for indecent exposure involving minors, upgrading first offenses to higher misdemeanors and subsequent offenses to felonies, strengthening sentencing severity.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2165: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions.

HB 2165 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "delinquent act" in juvenile court proceedings. It specifically excludes certain serious crimes from being classified as delinquent acts when committed by minors aged 15 or older, including murder, rape, robbery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and aggravated assault. The bill also excludes repeat offenses where a minor was previously adjudicated delinquent for similar violent crimes, summary offenses, and crimes already handled in criminal court. This change directly affects minors aged 15+ accused of these excluded offenses, shifting their cases to criminal court instead of juvenile court. The policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes serious juvenile crimes from delinquent act classification, moving cases to criminal court instead of juvenile rehabilitation-focused system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2180: An Act imposing requirements when lands containing certain State correctional institutions are offered for sale; and further providing for duties of the Department of Corrections.

HB 2180 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to notify counties when land containing a permanently closing state correctional facility is offered for sale. The bill mandates that 2% of the facility's total acreage (including road access) be reserved for transfer to the county at no cost, solely for developing affordable housing. Counties must accept this offer within 60 days by submitting a resolution and development plan, and must begin constructing affordable housing units within five years, with units available for lease within ten years of the land transfer. If counties fail to meet these deadlines, the land reverts to the Commonwealth. This bill directly affects counties where correctional facilities are closing, the Department of Corrections, and future affordable housing projects on former prison land.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill repurposes correctional land for affordable housing, aiding reentry programs and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 2% land transfer to counties for affordable housing development, requiring counties to accept and construct units within 60 days.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Affordable Housing Property Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2138: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for the offense of negligent marketing.

HB 2138 creates a new legal standard for lawsuits alleging "negligent marketing" of firearms by manufacturers or sellers. It requires plaintiffs to prove four specific conditions before a lawsuit can proceed: (1) marketing directly targeted legally prohibited firearm owners, (2) encouraged unlawful firearm use, (3) showed a direct causal link to harm, and (4) demonstrated the manufacturer violated a specific regulatory statute. If these conditions aren't met, courts must dismiss the case and award fees to the defending manufacturer or seller. The bill directly affects plaintiffs seeking to sue firearm companies and provides stronger legal protections for those companies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts lawsuits against firearm manufacturers by imposing strict pleading requirements, limiting legal accountability for marketing practices related to firearms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1144: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for certain aggravated cruelty to animal offenses.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines to require harsher penalties for aggravated animal cruelty when a deadly weapon is used. It directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create specific guidelines that increase sentences for offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) (aggravated cruelty to animals) when a deadly weapon is involved. The bill defines "deadly weapon" broadly to include firearms, dangerous weapons, and any device capable of causing serious harm. This change directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated animal cruelty who used such weapons, potentially leading to longer prison terms under the updated sentencing framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases sentencing for animal cruelty offenses, directly aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under OPPOSE stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 5, 2026

HB 2112: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses relating to sentencing enhancement, further providing for the offense of indecent exposure.

HB 2112 amends Pennsylvania law to require sentencing enhancements for indecent exposure cases where the act was committed "for the purpose of sexual arousal or sexual gratification." This change directly affects individuals convicted of indecent exposure who meet this specific motive criterion. The bill mandates that the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing develop a new sentencing guideline to increase penalties for these cases under existing sentencing framework rules. The law does not alter the definition of indecent exposure but adds a specific sentencing factor for offenses motivated by sexual intent. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for indecent exposure by mandating sentencing enhancements for specific motives, expanding criminalization under sexual offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1137: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for Pennsylvania State Police.

SB 1137 allows individuals denied a firearm transaction due to their criminal, juvenile, or mental health records to challenge the accuracy of those records. The bill requires the Pennsylvania State Police to accept written challenges within 30 days of denial and permits the person to request subpoenas for documents supporting the denial. This process provides a formal mechanism for correcting potential errors in the records used during background checks. The bill directly affects anyone denied a firearm based on these records in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows correction of erroneous criminal records in firearm background checks, protecting civil rights and ensuring due process in denial decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 556: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for registration of firearms; and imposing penalties.

SB 556 prohibits Pennsylvania government entities from creating or maintaining firearm ownership registries and bans payment processors from classifying gun retailers differently than general merchandise stores. It directly affects local governments, law enforcement, banks, and firearm sellers by preventing registry systems and requiring uniform payment classifications for gun retailers. The bill imposes penalties including third-degree felonies for registry violations and $2,500 administrative fines for payment classification violations. It does not change firearm ownership laws but targets administrative and financial practices related to gun sales. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits firearm registries and restricts government oversight of firearms, weakening a key criminal justice oversight tool per OPPOSE indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1122: An Act amending the act of July 22, 1974 (P.L.589, No.205), known as the Unfair Insurance Practices Act, further providing for unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices defined.

HB 1122 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Insurance Practices Act to explicitly prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against applicants or policyholders based on protected characteristics. The bill adds specific language banning unfair discrimination in underwriting and eligibility decisions due to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, age, sex, family size, occupation, residence, marital status, or criminal history. This directly affects insurers (who must comply with these rules) and applicants/policyholders (who gain protections against such discrimination). The key change clarifies that insurers cannot deny coverage, adjust rates, or impose terms based on these factors, except where rates are set through proper regulatory processes. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans insurance discrimination based on criminal history, aiding reentry and reducing barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance discrimination based on protected characteristics, ensuring fair access to health coverage under the Unfair Insurance Practices Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 9, 2025

SB 912: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in DNA data and testing, further providing for policy, for definitions, for State DNA Data Base, for State Police recommendation of additional offenses and annual report, for DNA sample required upon conviction, delinquency adjudication and certain ARD cases, for DNA data base exchange, for expungement and for mandatory cost; and making an editorial change.

SB 912 expands Pennsylvania's DNA collection requirements to include individuals convicted of or adjudicated for criminal homicide, felony sex offenses, and certain other specified offenses (like specific misdemeanors such as simple assault or indecent exposure). It establishes a statewide DNA database under the State Police to store forensic profiles from these individuals, as well as DNA from missing persons and unidentified decedents. The bill mandates annual reports tracking demographic data, costs, and processing times for DNA samples, and includes provisions for expunging DNA records. It directly affects people convicted of covered offenses by requiring DNA samples upon conviction or adjudication, with samples stored in the state database for forensic use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands DNA collection for violent offenses, enhancing forensic capabilities and database infrastructure in criminal investigations per Pennsylvania law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing Violent Crime

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