Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 16, 2025

SB 875: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal history record information, further providing for clean slate limited access; in motivational boot camp, further providing for definitions, for selection of inmate participants, for motivational boot camp program, for procedure for selection of participant in motivational boot camp program, for completion of motivational boot camp program and for evaluation; in State drug treatment program, further providing for definitions; and, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for report on incarcerated individuals with certain health conditions.

SB 875 creates a "clean slate" provision for individuals who successfully complete Pennsylvania's motivational boot camp program. It allows their criminal history records to become "limited access" for 3 years (misdemeanors) or 5 years (felonies) after program completion, provided they have no new convictions, paid all restitution, and completed the program. This means most background checks would not reveal these records during the limited access period. The bill specifically applies to participants who meet eligibility criteria under the motivational boot camp program, excluding those with certain serious offenses or enhancements. The Department of Corrections must certify successful completion to courts to trigger this record access change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates 'clean slate' for boot camp completers, reducing record barriers to aid reintegration and lower recidivism through limited access provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 1974: 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, establishing the Contingency Management Support Grant Program.

HB 1974 creates a new Contingency Management Support Grant Program within the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The bill establishes a mechanism for distributing grants to support substance use disorder treatment programs that use evidence-based contingency management approaches (like providing rewards for treatment adherence). This program directly affects licensed treatment providers and individuals receiving substance use disorder services by providing funding for these specific support services. The bill amends the 1929 Administrative Code to authorize this grant program under the department's existing authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new grant program funding substance use disorder treatment, directly allocating state funds for public health services under Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds evidence-based substance use disorder treatment programs to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates grant program funding evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, directly advancing healthcare services for addiction through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 591: An Act amending the act of November 22, 1978 (P.L.1166, No.274), referred to as the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the commission; and establishing the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund.

This bill establishes the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund to provide rewards of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who kill or cause the death of a law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania. It amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law to authorize the commission to administer the fund and offer these rewards for crimes covered under state murder and criminal homicide statutes targeting officers. The fund, which will be non-lapsing and funded by state appropriations, is intended to encourage public cooperation in solving violent crimes against law enforcement personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes reward fund for info leading to arrests of those killing law enforcement officers, directly strengthening law enforcement response to officer homicides under criminal homicide statutes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 63: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for definitions, for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for authorized use not a defense.

SB 63 amends Pennsylvania's DUI law to clarify that non-commercial drivers using medical marijuana lawfully under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act are exempt from the prohibition against having Schedule I controlled substances (including medical marijuana) in their blood. However, driving under the influence of medical marijuana or any impairing drug remains illegal, and possessing a medical marijuana card does not by itself justify a chemical test or arrest. The bill defines "medical marijuana" as per the state's Medical Marijuana Act and specifies that legal use of medical marijuana is not a defense against DUI charges. This change directly affects non-commercial drivers with medical marijuana cards and modifies law enforcement procedures for DUI cases involving medical marijuana.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies medical marijuana users aren't violating DUI law for possession alone, preventing unnecessary criminalization of legal medical use and protecting defendant rights under DUI enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 774: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to operation of vehicles, further providing for homicide by vehicle while driving under influence.

SB 774, known as the Legacy Law, requires courts to order drivers convicted of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence to pay financial support to minor children or dependents whose parent or legal guardian died in the incident. The law mandates that restitution covers the child’s needs until age 18 (or 19 if pursuing a high school diploma), considering factors like the child’s living standard, custody arrangements, and educational needs. Payments must be made directly to the surviving parent or guardian or through the court, with special provisions for incarcerated offenders who have one year after release to begin payments. This applies specifically to cases where the victim was a parent or legal guardian of a minor under 18.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution payments to victims' dependents for vehicular homicide under DUI, strengthening victim support within criminal justice reform framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1186: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to criminal proceedings, establishing the Adjunct Prosecutor Division within the Office of Attorney General; providing for its powers and duties; and establishing the Adjunct Prosecutor Division Restricted Account.

This bill creates the Adjunct Prosecutor Division within Pennsylvania's Office of Attorney General to assist district attorneys with criminal investigations and prosecutions. District attorneys can request adjunct prosecutors (qualified bar members) to work under their direction on specific cases, including grand jury proceedings, court litigation, and evidence review. The division is funded through a new "Adjunct Prosecutor Division Restricted Account" in the State Treasury, which receives annual appropriations from the General Assembly. The bill establishes clear procedures for requesting assistance, assigning prosecutors, and defines their scope of authority while requiring district attorney oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Adjunct Prosecutor Division to assist district attorneys with investigations/prosecutions, funded via new Restricted Account, strengthening prosecution capacity in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1341: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in budget and finance, further providing for Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.

HB 1341 changes how Pennsylvania distributes revenue from vehicle fines. It requires municipalities to provide at least 40 hours per week of police services (via their own department, regional department, or contracted services) to receive a share of these fines. Municipalities that don’t meet this service requirement will no longer qualify for the funds, which will instead be transferred to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This commission will then distribute the funds to programs supporting regional police department accreditation and collaboration across the state. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects municipal fine revenue to Commission requiring police service standards, promoting fiscal accountability in fund distribution.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ties municipal fine revenue to police service requirements, directing funds to maintain law enforcement capacity via Commission distribution.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 1344: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for definitions; and, in employees, further providing for canine training standards for police officers.

HB 1344 amends Pennsylvania state law to establish minimum training standards for police officers who work with police dogs. The bill directly affects municipal police departments and officers using canine units across the state. Its key provision requires officers to complete specific, standardized training programs before deploying police dogs, ensuring consistent competency and safety protocols. The legislation focuses on setting clear, measurable requirements for handler training rather than addressing broader police practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires standardized canine handler training to enhance officer competency and safety, promoting accountability in law enforcement85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates standardized canine handler training to improve workplace safety for police officers, directly advancing safety protocols for workers in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 123: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief.

SB 123 amends Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws to allow courts to require electronic monitoring devices for defendants who pose a substantial risk of violating protection orders or committing crimes against victims. The bill defines an "electronic monitoring device" as a GPS-enabled wearable (wrist or ankle) that continuously tracks location within 100 miles, allows police to access data indefinitely, and cannot be removed without specialized tools or alerting police. Courts may order this monitoring for the full duration of a protection order, requiring defendants to stay at specific distances from victims and locations, with removal only permitted for "good cause" and after notifying the victim. This directly affects domestic violence victims seeking protection and defendants found to present significant safety risks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victim protection via court-ordered electronic monitoring for high-risk defendants, promoting accountability and reducing recidivism in criminal justice context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SB 643: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions; prohibiting use of criminal history and retaliation relating to use of criminal history; providing for notice to prospective occupants and tenants relating to use of criminal history and for exclusions and other legal requirements relating to use of criminal history; and further providing for procedure and for civil penalties.

Senate Bill 643 amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to regulate how landlords can use criminal history information when making housing decisions. The bill prohibits landlords from denying tenancy or retaliating against prospective occupants and tenants based on certain criminal histories. It establishes "fair chance housing" practices, defining specific "legitimate business reasons" for considering criminal history, generally excluding convictions more than two years old. Additionally, it requires landlords to provide notice regarding their use of criminal history and updates the procedures and civil penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, promoting fair chance housing and reducing reentry barriers - key criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, establishes fair chance housing, and protects tenants from unjust denial of tenancy under PA Human Relations Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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