Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HB 1902: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.

HB 1902 updates Pennsylvania law to specifically address hate-based harassment by adding "ethnic intimidation" as a distinct criminal offense under assault laws. It expands civil rights protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying violations related to bias against race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill requires municipal employees to complete annual training on recognizing and responding to hate-based intimidation. These changes directly affect law enforcement, municipal staff, and individuals experiencing bias-motivated violence or discrimination in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 'ethnic intimidation' as distinct offense, expands civil rights protections for hate crime victims, and mandates hate-based intimidation training for law enforcement/municipal staff.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 1911: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, providing for swatting costs.

HB 1911 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require individuals who commit "swatting" to pay for the costs incurred by law enforcement responding to their false emergency reports. It directly affects people who intentionally make false reports to trigger a police SWAT response at someone else's home. The key provision establishes that perpetrators must reimburse law enforcement agencies for the actual expenses of the response, including officer time and equipment. This bill focuses on holding swatting offenders financially accountable for the resources they waste.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires swatting perpetrators to reimburse law enforcement costs, strengthening accountability and protecting resources in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 200: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for assault weapons and large capacity magazines and establishing the Firearms and Ammunition Buyback Program and the Pennsylvania State Police Buyback Fund; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police; and imposing penalties.

SB 200 prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of assault weapons and large capacity magazines in Pennsylvania, requiring current owners to either obtain a certificate from the Pennsylvania State Police within 180 days or surrender the weapons. To get a certificate, owners must pass background checks, provide weapon details, and meet secure storage requirements (e.g., locked containers or devices preventing discharge). The bill also establishes a Firearms and Ammunition Buyback Program and a related fund, though specific implementation details are not provided in the text. This directly affects individuals who currently own prohibited firearms, imposing new legal obligations for possession or surrender.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits assault weapons/large magazines, mandates buyback program, and secure storage requirements to reduce gun violence - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 572: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, providing for the offense of unsolicited dissemination of intimate image.

HB 572 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It makes it illegal to knowingly transmit, distribute, publish, or disseminate a sexually explicit image (defined as depicting genitals, pubic area, or breasts shown for sexual stimulation) to someone who didn't request it or give express consent. This offense is classified as a summary offense (similar to a minor misdemeanor), applies if either the victim or offender is in Pennsylvania, and excludes law enforcement officers acting in their official duties. The bill directly affects individuals who share intimate images without consent, providing a specific legal remedy for this type of non-consensual disclosure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal protection against non-consensual intimate image sharing, advancing victim rights and civil protections in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates criminal penalties for non-consensual digital sharing of intimate images, directly protecting personal data privacy in technology contexts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2025

HR 142: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on the best practices and recommendations for the operation of juvenile detention centers within this Commonwealth.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study of juvenile detention best practices, aiming to improve facility operations and aligns with reform goals like enhancing correctional standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 973: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to area government and intergovernmental cooperation, providing for Municipal Police Enhancement and Consolidation Grant Program and establishing the Municipal Police Enhancement and Consolidation Grant Program Fund.

HB 973 creates a grant program to support municipal police departments in Pennsylvania. It provides funding for police department consolidation, achieving accreditation standards, officer training, and community outreach programs. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000 per department depending on the purpose, with special provisions for small departments (under 10 officers). The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is funded through a new Municipal Police Enhancement Consolidation Grant Program Fund. This directly affects cities, boroughs, and townships with their own police departments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds police consolidation, accreditation, training, and community outreach to strengthen municipal law enforcement and community relations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 144: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends juvenile justice laws to streamline informal adjustments, reducing formal court involvement for minors - aligns with reform goals to lower recidivism and improve youth outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2018: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the disclosure of certain criminal history record information and certain information related to abuse to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and to any domestic violence fatality review team; and establishing the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program.

HB 2018 requires Pennsylvania law enforcement and courts to disclose specific criminal history records and abuse-related information to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and local review teams. It directly affects domestic violence fatality review boards, teams, and the individuals whose records are shared. The bill establishes a formal Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program to collect and analyze this information for improving responses to domestic violence cases. Key provisions mandate the disclosure of certain records to these review bodies, aiming to better understand factors in domestic violence fatalities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program to improve system responses through data collection on criminal history and abuse, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 345: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of councils of trustees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change firearm authorization rules for campus police at state universities. It requires campus police to meet state certification standards before carrying firearms and voids all existing resolutions authorizing campus police to carry weapons. The policy directly affects campus police officers and trustees councils across Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment, replacing prior authorization processes with new certification requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates state certification for campus police firearm carrying, enhancing accountability and safety in law enforcement, a key criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 24, 2025

SB 669: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions, for the offense of persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for sale or transfer of firearms, for Pennsylvania State Police, for firearm sales surcharge, for Firearm Records Check Fund, for retail dealer required to be licensed and for licensing of dealers and providing for ammunition purchase authorization permits and for transporting ammunition into this Commonwealth; establishing the Ammunition Safety and Enforcement Fund; and making editorial changes.

SB 669 amends Pennsylvania's firearm laws to clarify definitions, restrict firearm possession, and regulate sales and transfers. It introduces new requirements for purchasing ammunition through "ammunition purchase authorization permits" and establishes the "Ammunition Safety and Enforcement Fund" to support enforcement. The bill directly affects gun owners, licensed dealers, and the Pennsylvania State Police by changing how firearms and ammunition are handled and regulated. Key provisions include updating rules for firearm sales surcharges, firearm records checks, and dealer licensing procedures across multiple statutes. These changes aim to modify existing firearm regulations without specifying new criminal penalties or restrictions beyond the defined mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm regulations and establishes enforcement fund, directly supporting law enforcement's role in criminal justice through enhanced regulatory mechanisms and funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Policing

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