Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 262: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in actions, proceedings and other matters generally, providing for extreme risk protection orders.

Pennsylvania's SB 262 creates a legal process for courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a significant risk of harming themselves or others with a firearm. Family members, household members, or law enforcement can petition a court if they reasonably believe a person has firearms and is at risk of violence, requiring specific evidence like recent threats or acts. The court must hold a hearing within 14 days, and if it finds the risk is "more likely than not," it issues a one-year order requiring the person to surrender all firearms. The bill prohibits fees or bonds for petitioners and mandates law enforcement to enforce firearm surrender, with clear procedures for service, notice, and reporting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates court-ordered firearm removal for high-risk individuals, preventing violence and aligning with gun safety reform efforts to reduce gun-related harm.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 886: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general administration relating to correctional institutions, providing for prerelease briefings on veterans benefits.

HB 886 requires Pennsylvania correctional institutions to provide prerelease briefings to inmates who are veterans, specifically informing them about available veterans' benefits. This bill directly affects incarcerated veterans transitioning back into civilian life by ensuring they receive information about benefits they may qualify for. The key provision mandates that these briefings be part of the general administration process for correctional facilities under Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The bill focuses on improving access to benefits information as part of reentry support, without altering eligibility or benefit amounts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates prerelease briefings for veteran inmates on benefits, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism - supports rehabilitation within corrections.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates correctional institutions to provide prerelease briefings on veterans' benefits, ensuring incarcerated veterans receive information about available benefits upon release.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SB 249: An Act amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, in crime victims, further providing for responsibilities of State and local law enforcement agencies.

SB 249, nicknamed "Tara's Law," amends Pennsylvania's Crime Victims Act to require state and local law enforcement agencies to make a reasonable effort to contact surviving family members of murder victims or intervenors (those who helped during a crime) before publicly releasing the victim's identity. The bill creates an exception allowing immediate public release if needed for an ongoing murder investigation. This change directly affects law enforcement agencies' protocols when handling sensitive victim information. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to contact families before releasing victim identity, protecting victims' rights and enhancing procedural fairness in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 771: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general principles of justification, further providing for use of force in self-protection.

SB 771 amends Pennsylvania's self-defense laws to clarify when deadly force is legally justified. It removes the duty to retreat from one's home or workplace before using force (unless the person was the initial aggressor), creating a "stand your ground" provision in those locations. The bill specifies that deadly force is only justified to prevent death, serious injury, kidnapping, or sexual assault, and requires the person using force to believe it was immediately necessary. It also prohibits using deadly force against a police officer acting in their official duties, and exempts the "stand your ground" rule if the attacker has a weapon. This directly affects Pennsylvanians using force in self-defense, particularly in home or workplace settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies self-defense law, removing duty to retreat in home/workplace, protecting defendant rights (a support indicator for criminal justice reform).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 770: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, providing for the offense of access to firearms by minors; and imposing penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill (SB 770) requires firearm owners to store guns securely on their premises if minors might access them without permission. It makes insecure storage a violation, with penalties ranging from a minor violation (first offense) to a felony (if the firearm is used in a crime causing death or injury). Key defenses include proving the gun was locked securely, the minor accessed it via unlawful entry, or the minor was under adult supervision during lawful activities like hunting. Retailers must post clear notices about these storage rules and penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates secure firearm storage to prevent minors from accessing guns, reducing potential gun-related crimes and promoting public safety within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 452: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Safe Path Restricted Account; and making a transfer.

SB 452 establishes the "Safe Path Restricted Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund, transferring $50 million for fiscal year 2025-2026. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will use these funds to award grants to political subdivisions and nonprofits operating safe passage programs. These programs aim to improve safety for youth and adults traveling to and from schools and community centers. Priority is given to applicants in areas with high gun violence rates, as determined by the Commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $50M from General Fund to fund safe passage programs, increasing public service funding for safety in high-violence areas.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds safe passage programs in high gun violence areas to improve community safety, directly advancing criminal justice reform through prevention-focused initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds safe passage programs to improve student safety traveling to schools, enhancing educational access in high-violence areas85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds safe passage programs improving pedestrian safety for school commutes, directly enhancing transportation safety as defined in topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 1700: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, providing for communication barrier designation; and imposing penalties.

HB 1700 would amend Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to allow driver's licenses to include a "communication impairment designation" for individuals with conditions affecting speech or hearing, such as hearing loss or speech disorders. This designation would help drivers communicate more effectively with law enforcement during traffic stops by indicating they may need alternative communication methods. The bill also specifies penalties for violations related to this designation, such as failing to accommodate it during stops. It directly affects drivers with communication disabilities and law enforcement officers interacting with them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves law enforcement communication during traffic stops for people with disabilities, promoting civil rights and police accountability in law enforcement interactions.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends vehicle licensing to improve communication during traffic stops for drivers with impairments, enhancing transportation safety within vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 334: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and providing for Pennsylvania Individual Recruitment and Retention Tax Credit.

HB 334 creates a $2,500 Pennsylvania Individual Recruitment and Retention Tax Credit for specific new professionals who move to the state after December 2024. It directly affects qualifying taxpayers certified in teaching (e.g., instructional or special education certificates), law enforcement (e.g., police academy graduates), or healthcare (e.g., registered nurses) who become Pennsylvania residents and secure employment in those fields. The credit reduces their state income tax bill for wages earned in qualifying roles, available for three consecutive years (including the first qualifying year), and requires proof of certification to the Department of Revenue. The credit expires December 31, 2030, and applies only to individuals becoming qualifying taxpayers between 2025 and 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2,500 tax credit for essential workers (teachers, law enforcement, healthcare) reducing state income tax burden, aligning with tax relief for public service roles.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credit explicitly targets law enforcement recruitment (police academy graduates), aiming to strengthen workforce retention in criminal justice sector.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $2,500 tax credit to recruit/retain teachers (with instructional/special ed certs), directly supporting educator workforce through financial incentives.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill offers $2,500 tax credit specifically for healthcare professionals (e.g., RNs) to recruit/retain in PA, directly strengthening workforce availability and access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Policing Special Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 136: An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, repealing provisions relating to transfer of inmates in need of medical treatment; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, providing for parole for reasons of age or illness and for medical parole due to public or disaster emergency related to health or contagious disease outbreak.

SB 136 replaces Pennsylvania's current process for temporarily transferring terminally ill inmates to hospitals or hospices with two new parole options. It eliminates the existing requirement for courts to approve transfers based on "clear and convincing proof" of terminal illness, risk factors, and facility agreements. Instead, the bill creates parole eligibility for inmates due to age or chronic illness, and establishes medical parole during public health emergencies like disease outbreaks. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals facing serious health conditions or age-related frailty, streamlining their release without requiring court petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces restrictive transfer process with expanded parole options for age/illness/emergencies, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 16, 2025

HB 1612: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions, for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for sale or transfer of firearms and for Pennsylvania State Police.

HB 1612 requires Pennsylvania firearm dealers to conduct background checks that include the federal terrorist screening database during gun sales. It adds individuals listed on this database to the existing list of people prohibited from purchasing firearms. The law updates background check procedures to mandate this check alongside criminal history, juvenile records, and mental health records, with dealers paying a $2 fee per check. The Pennsylvania State Police must provide immediate results during the transaction, either blocking the sale or issuing a unique approval number.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens background checks by adding terrorist screening database to prevent prohibited individuals from purchasing firearms, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce gun violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Policing

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