Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 91: An Act amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, in procedure, further providing for exceptions for public records.

HB 91 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (2008) to clarify that records related to noncriminal investigations by state agencies are exempt from public disclosure - except for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This means agencies like police departments or environmental agencies must now disclose such records (unlike the Fish and Boat Commission, which retains exemption). The bill specifically revises Section 708(b)(17) of the law to remove a blanket exemption for all agencies, making the Fish and Boat Commission the sole exception. It directly affects public access to noncriminal investigation records held by state agencies, with no new reporting or procedural requirements. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of noncriminal police investigations, enhancing law enforcement transparency and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HB 1416: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to operation of vehicles, providing for the offense of interference with operation or movement of a public transit vehicle.

HB 1416 would create a new criminal offense for interfering with the operation or movement of public transit vehicles, such as buses or trains. It directly affects individuals who physically block doors, assault drivers or passengers, or otherwise disrupt transit service. The bill establishes specific penalties for these actions under Pennsylvania's vehicle laws, treating interference as a criminal violation. This change aims to clarify legal consequences for behaviors that endanger transit operations and passenger safety. The bill is currently stalled, having been "laid on the table" in September 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for transit interference, strengthening law enforcement's ability to address safety threats under vehicle laws.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates criminal penalties for disrupting public transit operations, directly enhancing safety and operational integrity of transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 29: An Act prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on unemployment status; providing for powers and duties of the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing a penalty.

SB 29, the Fair Chance for Employment Act, prohibits employers (including government entities and businesses with 5+ employees) from considering an applicant's unemployment status when making hiring or pay decisions. The law explicitly bans using current or recent joblessness as a factor, though it allows employers to require specific licenses, education, or experience as job qualifications. Violations can result in a $500 penalty assessed by the Department of Labor and Industry after an investigation. The bill takes effect 90 days after passage and directly affects job applicants and employers across Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes employment access for formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism - a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits unemployment status discrimination in hiring/pay, protecting workers' rights and expanding fair employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination Labor Standards Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1021: An Act amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in grounds and buildings, repealing provisions relating to room or building for juvenile offenders awaiting trial and providing for rooms or buildings for juveniles; and repealing provisions relating to special provisions for temporary county buildings and for rooms in county buildings in counties of the second class A.

HB 1021 replaces Pennsylvania's current requirement for separate rooms for juvenile offenders awaiting trial with a new system mandating counties to provide dedicated rooms or buildings exclusively for juvenile confinement, detention, and care. It requires county commissioners to establish a board of managers for each facility, composed of county officials and six private citizens with expertise in juvenile development, mental health, and substance use disorders. The board oversees operations, appoints a superintendent, and reports annually to county officials, while counties fund all expenses through annual appropriations. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania counties, particularly those previously governed by the repealed provisions for second-class A counties. The law focuses on structural changes to juvenile detention facilities rather than altering sentencing or legal procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces juvenile facility requirements with dedicated facilities overseen by experts in juvenile development/mental health, aligning with rehabilitation-focused reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 960: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in commercial drivers, further providing for disqualification.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires state-approved rehab for DUI/DWI disqualifications, enabling license reinstatement after rehabilitation and waiting period, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of rehabilitation over perpetual punishment.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens commercial driver safety by requiring rehabilitation programs for DUI/DWI disqualifications before license reinstatement, aligning with transportation safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 13, 2025

SB 919: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault.

SB 919 expands Pennsylvania's aggravated assault law to specifically protect United States postal workers and delivery drivers. The bill adds "a United States postal worker or delivery driver" to the list of protected individuals under Section 2702(c), making attacks against them a more serious offense. It also defines "delivery driver" as someone employed for package deliveries using standard-licensed vehicles, regardless of their employer. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands aggravated assault law to protect postal workers/delivery drivers, strengthening legal protections for essential workers and enhancing public safety under criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects postal and delivery workers from assault, enhancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 741: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of unauthorized use of electronic tracking device.

SB 741 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for the unauthorized use of electronic tracking devices. It makes it illegal to install or place an electronic tracking device on another person or their property without their consent to track their location or movement. The bill includes exceptions for situations like parents tracking their minor children, legal guardians tracking incapacitated persons, and law enforcement in official duties or with court orders. Businesses are also exempt when tracking fleet vehicles or if they have obtained informed consent, and penalties range from a second-degree to a first-degree misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by prohibiting unauthorized tracking, aligning with privacy protections in criminal justice. Exceptions for law enforcement with court orders strengthen oversight, not weaken it.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes unauthorized tracking devices without consent, directly protecting data privacy and location data from misuse per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 4, 2026

HB 910: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of dealing in infant children.

HB 910 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to elevate "dealing in infant children" from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. It makes it a crime to trade, buy, sell, or deal with infants under one year old, directly targeting individuals involved in illegal infant trafficking. The bill explicitly excludes legal surrogacy and adoption from this offense. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment, focusing on criminalizing the commercial exchange of very young children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeElevates illegal infant trafficking from misdemeanor to felony, strengthening enforcement against criminal child exploitation while excluding legal processes.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 3, 2025

SB 1027: 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.

SB 1027 amends Pennsylvania laws to strengthen protections against hate-based crimes and intimidation. It specifically expands the criminal offense of "ethnic intimidation" under Title 18, clarifies civil rights violations related to hate-based acts under Title 42, and defines key terms for municipal employees under Title 53. The bill requires municipal officers to complete annual training on recognizing and addressing hate-based intimidation. This directly affects victims of hate crimes, law enforcement, and local government employees who interact with the public. The changes aim to improve legal responses to bias-motivated offenses without altering existing penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens hate crime protections, expands ethnic intimidation offenses, and mandates hate-based intimidation training for officers, advancing civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 1543: An Act amending the the act of October 24, 2012 (P.L.1209, No.151), known as the Child Labor Act, further providing for occupations and establishments.

HB 1543 amends Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act to permit minors aged 15 and older to work in specific nonprofit culinary programs. It directly affects minors participating in educational programs run by 501(c)(3) nonprofits in certain cities or counties, designed to support at-risk youth involved with the criminal justice system. The bill allows these minors to perform food service duties like serving food and clearing tables, but explicitly prohibits them from dispensing or serving alcoholic beverages. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables culinary work for at-risk youth in criminal justice system via nonprofit programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

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