Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

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 · 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 916: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of burglary; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions.

SB 916 modifies Pennsylvania's burglary laws and juvenile definitions. It elevates burglary involving intent to steal a firearm or ammunition to a first-degree felony (the most serious category) and adds sentencing enhancements when domestic animals are harmed during burglary or stolen firearms are used in subsequent crimes. For juveniles, it revises the definition of "child" to extend court jurisdiction beyond age 18 for those pursuing education, employment, or training, and updates "delinquent act" to exclude certain serious crimes committed by 15+ year olds involving deadly weapons. The bill directly affects burglary defendants (especially firearm-related cases), courts (with new sentencing options), and juveniles aged 15-21 facing specific charges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates firearm burglary to first-degree felony with sentencing enhancements, increasing penalties - aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 849: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, providing for the offense of failure to comply with child abuse offender registration requirements; in sentencing, providing for registration of child abuse offenders; and imposing penalties.

HB 849 creates a new felony offense for child abuse offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements under Pennsylvania law. It makes it a felony of the second degree (or first degree for repeat violations) to miss registration deadlines, provide inaccurate information, fail to verify address or employment, or skip required counseling. The bill requires offenders to register with the Pennsylvania State Police, update details regularly, and provide complete personal information, with police authorized to arrest without a warrant for violations. This directly affects individuals convicted of child abuse offenses who are subject to registration under existing law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony offense for non-compliance with child abuse offender registration, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Sentencing

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2025

SB 255: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for sexual offenses and tier system.

SB 255 classifies "sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association" (18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.3) as a Tier II sexual offense under Pennsylvania sentencing law. This change directly affects individuals convicted of this specific type of sexual assault who work in sports organizations or nonprofit settings. Tier II classification requires longer mandatory registration periods and stricter supervision for offenders. The bill amends Title 42 of Pennsylvania law to add this offense to the existing Tier II list, effective immediately upon the Governor's approval on June 30, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies specific sexual assault as Tier II, increasing mandatory registration and supervision - strengthens punitive measures rather than reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 1935: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats.

HB 1935 requires individuals convicted of terroristic threats to pay restitution for costs incurred during evacuations, including emergency response, transportation, and employee wages for first responders. It also mandates a sentencing enhancement for threats targeting schools or institutions of higher education, which the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing must consider. The bill defines "school entity" to include public, charter, private, and cyber charter schools, and "institution of higher education" to cover specific universities like Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and others. These changes directly affect offenders who make terroristic threats in educational settings, holding them financially accountable for the costs their actions trigger.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates restitution and sentencing enhancements for terroristic threats targeting schools, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform or reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates sentencing enhancements for threats targeting schools/institutions of higher education, directly protecting educational environments through legal measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 632: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses.

HB 632 amends Pennsylvania's prostitution laws to increase penalties for individuals who knowingly engage in prostitution while aware they have HIV or AIDS. Specifically, it upgrades certain offenses to a third-degree felony (previously a misdemeanor) when the person knew their HIV-positive status at the time of the offense. The bill also creates a resentencing process for people previously convicted under the same provision but now eligible for misdemeanor sentencing if they've completed their sentences and meet specific criteria. This directly affects individuals convicted of prostitution-related offenses who knew their HIV status under the prior law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for HIV-positive prostitution offenders (felony vs misdemeanor), expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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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 Feb 4, 2025

HB 166: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree.

HB 166 amends Pennsylvania's sentencing rules for first-degree murder cases by changing jury instructions. It requires juries to unanimously find either: (1) at least one aggravating circumstance with no mitigating circumstances, or (2) that aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt, to impose the death penalty. If these conditions aren't met, the sentence must be life imprisonment. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of first-degree murder in Pennsylvania courts and modifies the procedural steps for jury sentencing decisions under Title 42. This is a procedural change to existing sentencing law, not a policy shift altering what constitutes murder or aggravating factors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts death penalty application by requiring unanimous jury findings for aggravating circumstances, shifting outcomes to life imprisonment instead.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 896: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree.

HB 896 requires Pennsylvania courts to impose the death penalty on defendants convicted of first-degree murder who are documented as undocumented migrants under U.S. immigration law (defined as violating 8 U.S.C. Ch. 12). The bill amends sentencing procedures to mandate this specific penalty after the court records the defendant's undocumented status, replacing standard sentencing considerations. It directly affects individuals facing first-degree murder charges who lack legal immigration status in the U.S.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates death penalty for first-degree murder by undocumented migrants, replacing judicial discretion with mandatory sentence - increasing severity and expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates death penalty for undocumented migrants in murder cases, restricting legal protections based on immigration status per 8 U.S.C. Ch. 12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Enforcement

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