Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 347: 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.

SB 347 prohibits clinics or establishments from knowingly providing space for individuals to use controlled substances illegally under Pennsylvania law. It creates criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison or $500,000 in fines (up to $2 million for non-individuals), and civil penalties of up to $250,000 for violations. The law grants district attorneys and the Attorney General authority to investigate and prosecute these violations, with strict limits on challenging the Attorney General's role. It specifically exempts medical marijuana use under Pennsylvania’s existing Medical Marijuana Act (2016) and lawful prescription practices. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance Act to clarify these prohibitions and penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by imposing severe penalties (20 years, $2M fines) for hosting illegal drug use, directly increasing criminal penalties under drug laws without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 1647: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, providing for the offense of possession, trafficking or importing a child sex doll.

HB 1647 makes it a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania to possess, traffic, or import a "child sex doll" - defined as an anatomically correct doll resembling a child under 12 years old and intended for sexual use. The bill creates specific offenses for possessing such dolls, trafficking them (including manufacturing or selling), and importing them into the state, with possession of two or more dolls creating a legal presumption of trafficking intent. It includes an exception for common carriers (like shipping companies) who lack knowledge of the dolls' contents. This law directly affects individuals involved in handling these dolls, imposing criminal penalties without changing existing statutes on child sexual abuse.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense for child sex dolls, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of increasing criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 195: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the offense of unlawful possession and sale or lease of property and for the offense of unauthorized occupancy of dwellings.

SB 195 creates new criminal offenses related to property occupancy and transactions in Pennsylvania. It defines unlawful possession of dwellings (e.g., entering with criminal intent or causing $1,000+ damage) as a felony of the third degree (§ 3601), and fraudulent sales/leases of residential property as a felony of the second degree (§ 3603). The bill also establishes a streamlined process for removing unauthorized occupants (defined as "squatters" without lease or authorization) via a sworn affidavit to law enforcement, requiring proof of notice and absence of litigation (Chapter 68A). These provisions directly affect individuals occupying properties without legal right and those engaging in deceptive property transactions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offenses (e.g., unlawful dwelling possession, fraudulent sales) and expands criminalization, increasing penalties without reform elements like rehabilitation or accountability.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill criminalizes unauthorized occupancy and fraudulent leases, enabling swift removal of occupants without leases, weakening tenant protections by prioritizing property owner rights over housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 23, 2025

HB 326: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal homicide, repealing provisions relating to the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; in assault, providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death or serious bodily injury; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for additional fine for arson committed for profit; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; in limitation of time, further providing for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses.

HB 326 repeals Pennsylvania's current law on "drug delivery resulting in death" and replaces it with a new offense covering both death and serious bodily injury caused by drug delivery. It classifies causing death as a first-degree felony (with a maximum 40-year prison sentence) and causing serious injury as a third-degree felony, while adding a defense for those who delivered drugs without receiving payment. The bill also increases fines for arson committed for profit and updates the definition of "crime of violence" to include the new drug delivery offense. These changes directly affect individuals who distribute drugs leading to harm and impact how courts prosecute such cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drug delivery causing death (first-degree felony, 40-year max) and serious injury (third-degree felony), replacing less severe law. Adds limited non-payment defense but overall strengthens criminal sanctions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 57: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

HB 57 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences and fines for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives in Pennsylvania. It directly affects people convicted under specific sections of the Controlled Substance Act involving fentanyl, with penalties based on the weight of the substance: 2 years (less than 1g) to 96 months (100g+), plus fines ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Repeat offenders face enhanced sentences (e.g., 36 months instead of 24 months for less than 1g). The bill requires courts to apply these mandatory penalties at sentencing, with the Commonwealth able to appeal if courts fail to impose them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without rehabilitation focus, directly opposing reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 92: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; and imposing a penalty.

SB 92 amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen penalties for individuals whose drug distribution causes a death. It establishes a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a fine (equal to the value of illegal proceeds) for repeat drug distributors convicted under this law who had two prior drug-related convictions and received significant payment for distributing drugs. The bill does not apply if the victim was under 13 years old or if the distributor and victim used drugs together. This law directly affects drug distributors convicted of causing a death through their illegal activity, with stricter penalties for those with prior offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens mandatory minimum sentences (10-year prison term) for repeat drug distributors causing death, directly increasing penalties per criminal justice indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 29, 2025

HB 1509: An Act amending the act of October 9, 2008 (P.L.1408, No.113), known as the Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act, further providing for penalties.

HB 1509 amends Pennsylvania's Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act to add a new penalty for intentionally possessing a detached catalytic converter without a commercial account and proper justification. It classifies this as a misdemeanor of the third degree, targeting individuals who remove catalytic converters from vehicles and keep them without being part of a registered scrap processor business or having a valid reason. The law directly affects people handling catalytic converters outside authorized commercial channels, such as thieves or those storing stolen parts. This change specifically addresses unauthorized possession of catalytic converters, which are frequently stolen for their valuable metals. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds misdemeanor penalty for catalytic converter possession without justification, expanding criminalization of scrap theft without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 635: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for offenses committed near drug and alcohol recovery houses.

SB 635 amends Pennsylvania sentencing law to impose stricter penalties for certain drug-related offenses committed within 1,000 feet of a drug and alcohol recovery house. Specifically, it requires the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create enhanced penalties for offenses under the Controlled Substance Act (sections 13(a)(12), (14), or (30)) when committed near these facilities. The bill defines "drug and alcohol recovery house" using existing law (Section 2311-A of the Administrative Code). This policy change directly affects individuals convicted of targeted drug offenses near recovery centers, increasing potential sentencing severity. The bill passed final passage on June 25, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes stricter penalties for drug offenses near recovery houses, increasing mandatory sentencing rather than promoting rehabilitation or reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 798: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, providing for the offense of possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in municipal building.

SB 798 creates a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly possessing a firearm or dangerous weapon in a municipal building when a local ordinance bans such items. It directly affects individuals entering municipal buildings (like town halls or courthouses) and requires municipalities to post clear notices and provide free, no-cost firearm check facilities within 30 days of adopting a ban. The bill specifies penalties: third-degree misdemeanors for basic possession, first-degree for possession with criminal intent, and summary offenses for certain licensed carriers who fail to check firearms. Exceptions include law enforcement, municipal officials, veterans groups on ceremonial duty, and attorneys with authorized exhibits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for firearm possession in municipal buildings, expanding criminalization of public firearm access without reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 29, 2025

HB 1508: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentences for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

HB 1508 would change sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of possessing firearms while prohibited under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects people with certain criminal convictions or protective orders who are legally barred from owning guns. The bill specifies mandatory minimum sentences for these offenses, modifying current provisions in Pennsylvania's judicial code to establish clearer penalties for firearm possession by prohibited persons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum sentences for prohibited firearm possession increase penalties, aligning with punitive criminal justice approach that restricts defendant rights and expands criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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