Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 752: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for failure to comply with 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. I registration requirements; and, in sentencing, further providing for registration.

HB 752 amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen sex offender registration requirements for individuals classified as "sexually violent predators" under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b)(3). It creates a new felony offense (second degree) for knowingly violating registration rules, and adds strict residency restrictions requiring these individuals to live at least 2,500 feet from schools or day-care centers. The bill mandates relocation within six months if they currently live too close to such facilities, or if new schools open nearby, with exceptions for lease expiration. This directly affects individuals subject to lifetime registration under Pennsylvania's sex offender laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens registration penalties with new felony charges and strict residency restrictions, increasing punitive measures rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 17, 2025

HB 1955: An Act amending Titles 44 (Law and Justice) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, codifying prohibition on political subdivisions and Commonwealth agencies imposing quotas on the issuance of citations for certain offenses and prohibiting the practice of station averaging; in licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, providing for radar enforcement systems pilot program; and making a repeal.

HB 1955 prohibits local governments and state agencies in Pennsylvania from setting targets for issuing traffic citations (quotas) or spreading citation numbers across police stations (station averaging). It also changes how traffic violations affect driver license points and establishes a pilot program testing radar enforcement systems on roads. The bill directly affects local police departments, state agencies, and drivers by altering citation practices and licensing consequences. It codifies existing restrictions on citation quotas while adding new rules for radar use, without changing traffic laws themselves.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits citation quotas and station averaging, directly enhancing police accountability in traffic enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes radar enforcement pilot program for traffic safety, directly enhancing transportation safety standards per indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 355: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, further providing for the offense of corruption of minors and for the offense of unlawful contact with minor.

HB 355 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to strengthen protections for minors by updating the offenses of "corruption of minors" and "unlawful contact with minor." The bill specifically targets adults who exploit or sexually exploit minors through interactions like grooming or inappropriate contact, making these acts clearer and more severe under state law. It directly affects minors (ages 12-17) and adults who engage in prohibited conduct with them, including online interactions. The law increases penalties for these offenses by clarifying prohibited behaviors and strengthening sentencing guidelines, now effective as Act No. 5 of 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens protections for minors by clarifying and increasing penalties for exploitation, grooming, and unlawful contact, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 568: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for gun violence task forces.

HB 568 establishes county-level "gun violence task forces" in Pennsylvania communities with high and increasing gun violence rates. These task forces, created upon a district attorney's written request to the Attorney General, investigate violations of firearm laws (sections 6105 and 6111 of Title 18) and recommend prosecutions. The task forces include local law enforcement, community stakeholders, faith leaders, and neighborhood representatives, operating under the Attorney General’s authority. The Attorney General gains authority to prosecute certain firearm offenses in these counties, considering factors like the severity of the offense and the offender’s criminal history, while local prosecutors may request prosecution for specific cases involving murder or violent crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates community-involved gun violence task forces to investigate firearm law violations, promoting collaborative criminal justice reform and targeted enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 1604: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for mandatory firearms training for certain officers.

HB 1604 would require certain municipal officers in Pennsylvania to complete mandatory firearms training under amendments to Title 53 of the state statutes. The bill directly affects municipal law enforcement personnel, such as police officers or other sworn employees, who handle firearms in their duties. Its key provision mandates that these officers receive regular firearms training as a condition of employment or continued certification. The bill is currently inactive after being "laid on the table" in October 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandatory firearms training for municipal officers strengthens law enforcement competency and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing officer safety and reducing misconduct risks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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failed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 1866: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons.

HB 1866 would have expanded Pennsylvania's definition of "prohibited offensive weapons" under criminal law to include specific items like modified firearms and certain knives, making it a crime to attempt to obtain or possess them. The bill aimed to clarify that inchoate offenses (such as attempted possession) involving these weapons would be punishable under existing statutes. It directly affected individuals facing charges related to preparing to obtain or carry these weapons. However, the bill was defeated during final passage on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by broadening prohibited weapons definition and making attempts punishable, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 31, 2025

SB 917: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in serious traffic offenses, further providing for the offense of homicide by vehicle while driving under influence.

SB 917 requires Pennsylvania courts to impose higher sentences for drivers convicted of causing fatal accidents while driving under the influence of multiple drugs or a combination of alcohol and one or more drugs. The bill directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create a specific sentencing enhancement when a driver's blood or breath test shows multiple controlled substances (as defined by law) or alcohol plus at least one controlled substance. This change directly affects drivers found responsible for vehicular homicides involving these substance combinations, increasing their penalties. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for DUI-related fatalities involving multiple substances, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing under criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for DUI-related fatalities, enhancing road safety through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement under Title 75.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 31, 2025

SB 956: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, providing for the offense of child torture.

SB 956 creates a new first-degree felony offense called "child torture" in Pennsylvania law for individuals who intentionally commit two or more specific abusive acts against a child under 18. The law defines child torture as causing serious injury, mental anguish in an especially depraved way, unreasonable confinement, forced positioning, or intentional failure to provide care. Conviction does not require expert testimony on mental anguish or proof of pain, though financial inability may be a defense for the care provision. This bill directly affects perpetrators of severe, repeated child abuse by establishing a distinct, serious criminal charge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new first-degree felony for child torture, strengthening protections against severe abuse and enhancing accountability for perpetrators under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 621: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offense of benefit transfer device fraud.

HB 621 creates a new criminal offense for unauthorized aliens who possess, use, or attempt to use Pennsylvania's benefit transfer devices, such as the ACCESS card or electronic benefit transfer card. The law defines "unauthorized alien" as someone not eligible for state benefits under federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1621(a)) and classifies each violation as a separate third-degree felony. This directly affects non-citizens who are ineligible for state benefits but attempt to access programs like food assistance through these devices. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code to specifically address fraud involving benefit cards, without changing eligibility rules for benefits themselves.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense for unauthorized aliens using benefit cards, expanding criminalization without reform focus.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCriminalizes unauthorized aliens' use of state benefit devices, restricting access to services like food assistance by classifying violations as felonies.95% confidence

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2025

SB 302: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for commencement of proceedings.

SB 302 creates a $100 fee for defendants when a protection order is granted without their agreement. The fee is distributed as follows: $25 to the Pennsylvania State Police for the protection order registry, $25 to the law enforcement agency that served the order, $25 to the county sheriff for related costs, and $25 to the Department of Human Services for domestic violence victim services. This bill directly affects individuals subject to protection orders and impacts how courts handle service of these orders. It became law on June 30, 2025 (Act No. 23 of 2025), modifying Pennsylvania’s domestic relations code to fund victim services and registry maintenance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDistributes $100 fee to DHS for domestic violence victim services, directly funding victim support within criminal justice system per bill's fee allocation structure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing