Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 63: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for definitions, for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for authorized use not a defense.

SB 63 amends Pennsylvania's DUI law to clarify that non-commercial drivers using medical marijuana lawfully under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act are exempt from the prohibition against having Schedule I controlled substances (including medical marijuana) in their blood. However, driving under the influence of medical marijuana or any impairing drug remains illegal, and possessing a medical marijuana card does not by itself justify a chemical test or arrest. The bill defines "medical marijuana" as per the state's Medical Marijuana Act and specifies that legal use of medical marijuana is not a defense against DUI charges. This change directly affects non-commercial drivers with medical marijuana cards and modifies law enforcement procedures for DUI cases involving medical marijuana.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies medical marijuana users aren't violating DUI law for possession alone, preventing unnecessary criminalization of legal medical use and protecting defendant rights under DUI enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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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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

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 494: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of statutory sexual assault.

SB 494 amends Pennsylvania's statutory sexual assault law by raising the age threshold from 16 to 18 years. It makes it a felony for an adult who is 11 or more years older than an 18-year-old to engage in sexual intercourse with them, unless they are married. The bill establishes two felony levels: a second-degree felony for those 4-7 years older, and a first-degree felony for those 11+ years older. This change directly affects individuals in age-gap relationships with 18-year-olds where the age difference meets the specified thresholds.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by raising age threshold to 18 and imposing felony penalties for significant age gaps, increasing criminalization of non-marital relationships with 18-year-olds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 774: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to operation of vehicles, further providing for homicide by vehicle while driving under influence.

SB 774, known as the Legacy Law, requires courts to order drivers convicted of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence to pay financial support to minor children or dependents whose parent or legal guardian died in the incident. The law mandates that restitution covers the child’s needs until age 18 (or 19 if pursuing a high school diploma), considering factors like the child’s living standard, custody arrangements, and educational needs. Payments must be made directly to the surviving parent or guardian or through the court, with special provisions for incarcerated offenders who have one year after release to begin payments. This applies specifically to cases where the victim was a parent or legal guardian of a minor under 18.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution payments to victims' dependents for vehicular homicide under DUI, strengthening victim support within criminal justice reform framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1186: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to criminal proceedings, establishing the Adjunct Prosecutor Division within the Office of Attorney General; providing for its powers and duties; and establishing the Adjunct Prosecutor Division Restricted Account.

This bill creates the Adjunct Prosecutor Division within Pennsylvania's Office of Attorney General to assist district attorneys with criminal investigations and prosecutions. District attorneys can request adjunct prosecutors (qualified bar members) to work under their direction on specific cases, including grand jury proceedings, court litigation, and evidence review. The division is funded through a new "Adjunct Prosecutor Division Restricted Account" in the State Treasury, which receives annual appropriations from the General Assembly. The bill establishes clear procedures for requesting assistance, assigning prosecutors, and defines their scope of authority while requiring district attorney oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Adjunct Prosecutor Division to assist district attorneys with investigations/prosecutions, funded via new Restricted Account, strengthening prosecution capacity in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1341: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in budget and finance, further providing for Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.

HB 1341 changes how Pennsylvania distributes revenue from vehicle fines. It requires municipalities to provide at least 40 hours per week of police services (via their own department, regional department, or contracted services) to receive a share of these fines. Municipalities that don’t meet this service requirement will no longer qualify for the funds, which will instead be transferred to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This commission will then distribute the funds to programs supporting regional police department accreditation and collaboration across the state. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects municipal fine revenue to Commission requiring police service standards, promoting fiscal accountability in fund distribution.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ties municipal fine revenue to police service requirements, directing funds to maintain law enforcement capacity via Commission distribution.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 1344: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for definitions; and, in employees, further providing for canine training standards for police officers.

HB 1344 amends Pennsylvania state law to establish minimum training standards for police officers who work with police dogs. The bill directly affects municipal police departments and officers using canine units across the state. Its key provision requires officers to complete specific, standardized training programs before deploying police dogs, ensuring consistent competency and safety protocols. The legislation focuses on setting clear, measurable requirements for handler training rather than addressing broader police practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires standardized canine handler training to enhance officer competency and safety, promoting accountability in law enforcement85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates standardized canine handler training to improve workplace safety for police officers, directly advancing safety protocols for workers in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 123: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief.

SB 123 amends Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws to allow courts to require electronic monitoring devices for defendants who pose a substantial risk of violating protection orders or committing crimes against victims. The bill defines an "electronic monitoring device" as a GPS-enabled wearable (wrist or ankle) that continuously tracks location within 100 miles, allows police to access data indefinitely, and cannot be removed without specialized tools or alerting police. Courts may order this monitoring for the full duration of a protection order, requiring defendants to stay at specific distances from victims and locations, with removal only permitted for "good cause" and after notifying the victim. This directly affects domestic violence victims seeking protection and defendants found to present significant safety risks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victim protection via court-ordered electronic monitoring for high-risk defendants, promoting accountability and reducing recidivism in criminal justice context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SB 643: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions; prohibiting use of criminal history and retaliation relating to use of criminal history; providing for notice to prospective occupants and tenants relating to use of criminal history and for exclusions and other legal requirements relating to use of criminal history; and further providing for procedure and for civil penalties.

Senate Bill 643 amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to regulate how landlords can use criminal history information when making housing decisions. The bill prohibits landlords from denying tenancy or retaliating against prospective occupants and tenants based on certain criminal histories. It establishes "fair chance housing" practices, defining specific "legitimate business reasons" for considering criminal history, generally excluding convictions more than two years old. Additionally, it requires landlords to provide notice regarding their use of criminal history and updates the procedures and civil penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, promoting fair chance housing and reducing reentry barriers - key criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, establishes fair chance housing, and protects tenants from unjust denial of tenancy under PA Human Relations Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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