Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 24, 2025

SB 520: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 30 (Fish), 34 (Game), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and repealing provisions relating to public access; in enforcement relating to fish, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies; in enforcement relating to game, further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers; in recordings by law enforcement officers, further providing for definitions and for audio recording or video recording policies; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of Department of Corrections; and making transfers between the State Gaming Fund and certain restricted accounts.

SB 520 amends Pennsylvania law to clarify who can legally record communications during enforcement duties, directly affecting waterways conservation officers, game enforcement officers, and parole agents. It expands definitions to allow these officers to use body cameras or recording devices after approved training, while removing public access requirements under the Right-to-Know Law for such recordings. Key provisions include defining "law enforcement officer" to include specific conservation and game officers, requiring training for device use, and repealing prior rules about public access to recordings. The bill also updates enforcement officer powers related to fish and game regulations. This enacted law (Act No. 53 of 2025) focuses on operational clarity for law enforcement recording practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands body camera use for conservation/game officers, clarifying recording policies to enhance accountability under criminal justice enforcement, though removes public access under Right-to-Know Law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 545: An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in limitation of time, further providing for six months limitation; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity, for limitations on damages and for exceptions to governmental immunity and providing for claims for compensation for wrongful conviction; in general administration, providing for services after wrongful conviction; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of department.

HB 545 creates a new legal process for individuals wrongfully convicted in Pennsylvania to seek compensation. It establishes eligibility for those whose convictions were overturned due to actual innocence (including overturned convictions, acquittals after retrial, or pardons), excluding accomplices or those who committed perjury. The bill adds a new subchapter (8581-8586) to Title 42, outlining procedures for filing claims, determining compensation amounts, and requiring notice to the Treasury. It also modifies sovereign immunity laws to ensure these claims cannot be blocked by government immunity defenses. This directly affects wrongfully convicted individuals or their heirs who meet specific innocence-based criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state compensation for wrongful convictions, requiring Treasury funding and increasing government spending on post-conviction remedies.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes compensation process for wrongfully convicted, advancing criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights through post-conviction remedies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 559: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions and for possession of firearm by minor; and making editorial changes.

SB 559 amends Pennsylvania law to restrict firearm and assault weapon possession by minors. It prohibits individuals under 18 from possessing standard firearms (with limited exceptions for supervised activities or hunting) and raises the age limit for assault weapons to under 21, barring possession without specific exemptions. The bill defines "assault weapon" to include firearms with features like detachable magazines, folding stocks, or specific grips, and lists exceptions for active-duty military personnel, peace officers, and weapon-carrying probation officers. Adults who knowingly provide firearms to minors in violation of these rules face felony charges, and illegally possessed firearms must be seized and forfeited upon conviction. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts minors' firearm access, preventing potential crimes under criminal law (Title 18 amendments).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

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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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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 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 Mar 13, 2025

HB 889: An Act amending Titles 51 (Military Affairs) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, further providing for duties of department; in State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, further providing for specific duties relating to Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs; and, in general administration relating to correctional institutions, further providing for powers and duties of department.

HB 889 amends Pennsylvania statutes to improve support for veterans, particularly those in correctional facilities. It requires the Department of Corrections to maintain a list of incarcerated veterans and send their names and addresses to county veterans affairs offices at least 30 days before release (Section 1105(a)(3)). The bill also adds duties for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to encourage veterans' voter registration and for the Deputy Adjutant General to assist veterans in accessing career and technical training programs. These changes directly affect veterans in prison, county veterans offices, and state agencies managing veterans' services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to notify veterans' offices pre-release, aiding reentry and reducing recidivism - direct support for criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly improves veteran services by requiring correctional facilities to notify county offices of incarcerated veterans pre-release and adding duties to encourage voter registration and assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1360: An Act requiring persons convicted of arson and related offenses to register with local authorities; providing for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Parole Board; and imposing a penalty.

HB 1360, the Convicted Arsonist Registry Act, requires individuals convicted of arson under Pennsylvania law (18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(a), (c), (d), or (f)) to register with the Pennsylvania State Police. Registrants must provide personal details - including name, Social Security number, current/residential addresses, student enrollment information, and photographs/fingerprints - and update this information within 14 days of release, parole, probation, or arrival in Pennsylvania. Local fire chiefs and law enforcement officers receive this registration data to aid investigations and public safety. Registration is mandatory for life for most offenders, or until age 25 for juvenile offenders, with records destroyed upon reaching that age.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires arson convicts to register with police for monitoring, enhancing post-release oversight to reduce recidivism and improve public safety within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 19, 2025

SB 872: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to establishment of pilot program, providing for establishment and further providing for county participation requirements, for use of grant funding, for powers and duties of department, for report to General Assembly and for construction; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and making an editorial change.

SB 872 replaces Pennsylvania’s temporary "Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program" with a permanent "Medication-Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Program" administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The bill requires counties with correctional facilities offering substance abuse treatment to apply for grants, enabling them to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combined with counseling to eligible offenders both during incarceration and after release. Key provisions mandate county assessments to identify suitable candidates, individualized treatment plans, access to MAT, and coordination with probation/parole, while requiring biennial reports to the legislature on program effectiveness. The law prioritizes nonnarcotic MAT funding and prohibits using grant money to replace existing programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePermanently funds MAT programs in correctional facilities to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates permanent grant program funding medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance abuse in correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access and funding for treatment services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 22, 2025

HB 561: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to establishment of pilot program, providing for establishment and further providing for county participation requirements, for use of grant funding, for powers and duties of department, for report to General Assembly and for construction; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and making an editorial change.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's pilot program for non-narcotic medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in prisons and parole settings. It removes outdated rules about the program's establishment, clarifies requirements for county participation, and specifies how grant funds can be used for treatment services. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency gains new duties to oversee the program, and the bill includes administrative updates to the state statutes governing it. The changes directly affect counties administering the pilot program and individuals in prison or parole under the MAT initiative.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates prison MAT pilot program to enhance rehabilitation services, supporting criminal justice reform by improving substance abuse treatment in corrections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates MAT grant program for substance abuse treatment in prisons, clarifies funding for healthcare services, advancing access to evidence-based care within correctional healthcare system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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