Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 192: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in qualifications of electors, further providing for rules for determining residence; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for qualified absentee electors and providing for voting by absentee electors in correctional institutions; and imposing duties on the Department of State.

SB 192 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to improve voting access for two specific groups: homeless residents and individuals confined in correctional facilities for non-felony offenses (including misdemeanors, pretrial detainees, and those awaiting sentencing). It defines "homeless" using federal standards, allowing voters without a physical address to register using geographic descriptions like maps or coordinates. The bill also requires correctional facilities to designate staff to assist inmates with voter registration, absentee ballots, and civic education, while mandating data collection on inmate voting participation. These changes aim to streamline voting procedures for these populations without altering eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands voting access for non-felony offenders in correctional facilities, promoting reintegration and civil rights in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Tags Elections

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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 Nov 17, 2025

HB 384: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of criminal trespass.

HB 384 adds a new requirement for Pennsylvania courts: when someone is convicted of criminal trespass at a licensed gambling facility (like a casino) or video gaming area while on a self-exclusion list, the court may order an evaluation to assess if they have a gambling disorder and need treatment. This applies specifically to individuals who violated self-exclusion rules at gambling venues, as defined by Pennsylvania law. The evaluation, conducted by a court-appointed clinician, must determine the need for counseling or treatment as part of sentencing or pretrial diversion. The bill does not change the trespass offense itself but adds this assessment step for a specific subset of cases involving gambling venues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds court-ordered gambling disorder evaluations for trespass at casinos on self-exclusion lists, promoting rehabilitation over punishment for a specific offense.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 274: An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for alternative sentencing for primary caretakers and further providing for contents of presentence report; and, in medical services, establishing the Maternity Medical Services Program; and making editorial changes.

SB 274 creates two key programs in Pennsylvania law. First, it requires courts to offer non-prison sentencing options for individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses who are primary caretakers of dependent children (including pregnant women or new mothers), mandating community-based rehabilitation programs like parenting classes, job training, or mental health services instead of incarceration. Second, it establishes a Maternity Medical Services Program within correctional facilities, providing pregnancy and postpartum care for eligible incarcerated women at a reduced fee (with no denial of care due to inability to pay). The bill directly affects incarcerated parents, particularly mothers, by prioritizing family unity and maternal health. It amends sentencing procedures and medical services statutes to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates non-prison sentencing for primary caretakers of nonviolent offenses, replacing incarceration with community rehabilitation programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 274 establishes a Maternity Medical Services Program in correctional facilities, directly providing medical services for pregnant women and new mothers, improving healthcare access within prisons.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 513: An Act amending Title 46 (Legislature) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for racial impact statements in consideration of legislation.

SB 513 requires Pennsylvania's Commission on Sentencing to create racial impact statements when legislators request them for bills affecting criminal justice laws. These statements must analyze how proposed legislation might change racial and ethnic demographics in the criminal offender population, juvenile court system, and among crime victims, using clear methodology. The bill mandates that such statements be attached before certain legislative actions (like second consideration or amendments) can proceed, with a 10-day deadline for the Commission. If the Commission misses the deadline, the legislation moves forward as if the statement existed. This applies specifically to bills creating new criminal offenses, changing existing ones, or modifying sentencing laws under 18 Pa.C.S. or 42 Pa.C.S. Chapter 97.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates racial impact statements for criminal justice legislation to analyze racial disparities, promoting equitable policy-making and civil rights protections in sentencing and corrections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 731: 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 probation without verdict.

HB 731 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to allow courts to grant probation without a conviction for nonviolent drug offenses. This applies when a person pleads guilty or no-contest to a nonviolent drug offense and proves drug dependency through testimony from a physician or psychologist. The bill caps the total fines and court costs for such probation at $300, setting a clear financial limit. It directly affects low-level drug offenders who qualify for this treatment-focused sentencing option.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows treatment-focused probation without conviction for nonviolent drug offenses, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequiring medical evaluation for drug dependency treatment shifts focus from punishment to healthcare, aligning with treatment-focused healthcare support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole Sentencing Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 634: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of hate crimes against law enforcement officers and first responders.

SB 634 creates a new hate crime offense in Pennsylvania law targeting attacks against law enforcement officers and first responders (firefighters and emergency medical personnel). It defines this as intentionally committing crimes like assault, property damage, or trespassing motivated by hatred toward someone's job in these roles. If the underlying crime is a misdemeanor, the hate crime charge raises it to a higher class (e.g., misdemeanor of the second degree), and courts must consider a sentencing enhancement. This bill directly affects individuals who commit such acts, increasing penalties for targeting public safety workers due to their employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates hate crime penalties for attacks on law enforcement, raising sentences for such offenses under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2025

HB 1454: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial boards and commissions, further providing for powers and duties of commission, providing for adoption of guidelines for bail and pretrial release conditions and further providing for publication of guidelines for sentencing, resentencing and parole, risk assessment instrument and recommitment ranges following revocation.

HB 1454 expands the duties of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. The bill requires the commission to establish and publish guidelines for setting bail and pretrial release conditions. These guidelines will assist courts in determining appropriate conditions by considering factors such as the seriousness of the offense, a defendant's criminal history, and community-based support systems. It also mandates the commission to collect and disseminate data on bail and pretrial release practices, in addition to its existing responsibilities for sentencing and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires standardized bail/pretrial guidelines based on offense severity, history, and community support, promoting fairer judicial decisions and data transparency per sentencing commission duties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1493: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, providing for data collection on race and ethnicity in criminal cases.

HB 1493 requires Pennsylvania's Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to collect and publicly publish data on the race and ethnicity of defendants in criminal cases. This data must be posted in an accessible online format and reported annually to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The bill directly affects all individuals involved in criminal cases across Pennsylvania's court system by mandating standardized demographic data collection. It establishes a concrete mechanism for tracking racial and ethnic disparities in criminal proceedings without altering sentencing or legal procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates racial/ethnic data collection in criminal courts to promote transparency and identify systemic biases, a core criminal justice reform measure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 11, 2025

HR 99: A Concurrent Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a bipartisan task force to study any consolidated or unconsolidated State statutes in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Judicial Code, Sentencing Code or elsewhere under which a term of imprisonment and other collateral consequences may be imposed in order to identify redundant, overlapping and inconsistent offenses, improper grading and gaps in criminal liability, out-of-date, antiquated, offensive or unenforceable language and to make recommendations to the General Assembly.

HR 99 directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to create a bipartisan task force to study the state's criminal justice codes. The task force will examine the Crimes Code, Judicial Code, Sentencing Code, and related statutes to identify redundant offenses, inconsistent sentencing grades, outdated language, and gaps in criminal liability. It will focus on provisions that impose imprisonment or collateral consequences, aiming to recommend updates to modernize the codes. The task force must report findings and recommendations to the legislature within two years. This is a procedural resolution, not a law changing penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs study of criminal justice codes to identify redundancies, outdated language, and gaps, aiming to modernize statutes and improve system efficiency - aligns with reform efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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