Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1065: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions and providing for the offense of sale of firearm or firearm parts without serial numbers and for privately made firearms.

HB 1065 creates a new felony offense for selling unmarked firearm components in Pennsylvania. It specifically targets the sale of firearm frames/receivers, silencer frames, split/modular frames, or partially complete frames without serial numbers registered to a federal firearms licensee. The bill defines "privately made firearm" as one assembled by non-licensed individuals without federal serial markings. This law directly affects sellers of homemade or unlicensed firearm parts, making such sales a third-degree felony. It does not change laws regarding firearm ownership or purchase, only penalizing the sale of unmarked components.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for unmarked firearm parts, expanding criminalization per indicators85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 377: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties.

HB 377 adds tianeptine - a medication sometimes misused as an opioid substitute - to Pennsylvania's list of prohibited substances under the Controlled Substance Act. It makes it illegal for unregistered individuals or unlicensed practitioners to manufacture, deliver, or possess tianeptine with intent to distribute. Violators face felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and anyone handling tianeptine without proper authorization under state drug laws. This amendment updates existing penalties to address emerging misuse of tianeptine.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds tianeptine to prohibited list with felony penalties, expanding criminalization of drug distribution under sentencing provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 1932: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, repealing provisions relating to the offense of sexual intercourse with animal; and, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of aggravated cruelty to animal, providing for the offense of sexual crimes against animals and further providing for exemption of normal agricultural operations.

This bill removes the existing offense of "sexual intercourse with animal" from Pennsylvania law and replaces it with new provisions defining "sexual crimes against animals" and "aggravated cruelty to animals" (severe animal cruelty). It also explicitly exempts normal agricultural operations from these new provisions. The changes would affect how certain animal-related offenses are prosecuted in court, but not farmers or standard farming practices. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modernizes animal offense definitions, replaces outdated terms with precise legal standards, and exempts agriculture to prevent overcriminalization, advancing criminal justice reform through clearer, fairer law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 24, 2025

SB 520: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 30 (Fish), 34 (Game), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and repealing provisions relating to public access; in enforcement relating to fish, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies; in enforcement relating to game, further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers; in recordings by law enforcement officers, further providing for definitions and for audio recording or video recording policies; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of Department of Corrections; and making transfers between the State Gaming Fund and certain restricted accounts.

SB 520 amends Pennsylvania law to clarify who can legally record communications during enforcement duties, directly affecting waterways conservation officers, game enforcement officers, and parole agents. It expands definitions to allow these officers to use body cameras or recording devices after approved training, while removing public access requirements under the Right-to-Know Law for such recordings. Key provisions include defining "law enforcement officer" to include specific conservation and game officers, requiring training for device use, and repealing prior rules about public access to recordings. The bill also updates enforcement officer powers related to fish and game regulations. This enacted law (Act No. 53 of 2025) focuses on operational clarity for law enforcement recording practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands body camera use for conservation/game officers, clarifying recording policies to enhance accountability under criminal justice enforcement, though removes public access under Right-to-Know Law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 545: 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.

HB 545 creates a new legal process for individuals wrongfully convicted in Pennsylvania to seek compensation. It establishes eligibility for those whose convictions were overturned due to actual innocence (including overturned convictions, acquittals after retrial, or pardons), excluding accomplices or those who committed perjury. The bill adds a new subchapter (8581-8586) to Title 42, outlining procedures for filing claims, determining compensation amounts, and requiring notice to the Treasury. It also modifies sovereign immunity laws to ensure these claims cannot be blocked by government immunity defenses. This directly affects wrongfully convicted individuals or their heirs who meet specific innocence-based criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state compensation for wrongful convictions, requiring Treasury funding and increasing government spending on post-conviction remedies.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes compensation process for wrongfully convicted, advancing criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights through post-conviction remedies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SB 612: An Act providing for the provision of disposable menstrual products.

Pennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to provide free menstrual products, improving health and dignity for incarcerated individuals, a direct reform in corrections within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free menstrual products in public facilities to ensure access to essential health necessities, supporting public health initiatives and reducing barriers to health access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires free menstrual products in workplaces like government offices (e.g., unemployment assistance), enhancing dignity and safety for employees, aligning with workplace standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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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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