Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2043: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, prohibiting certain assault weapons.

HB 2043 would prohibit the possession, sale, and transfer of specific assault weapons under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects individuals who own or attempt to purchase these firearms, as defined by the bill. The key provision creates a new criminal ban on the targeted weapons, making their possession unlawful without specified exceptions. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits assault weapons under criminal statutes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety through firearm regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 30, 2025

HB 1531: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, providing for the offense of child torture.

HB 1531 creates a new first-degree felony offense called "child torture" under Pennsylvania law. It defines this as intentionally or knowingly engaging in a course of conduct involving more than one of the following against a child under 18: torture, physical assault, unreasonable confinement, forced positioning, or failure to provide care. The law removes requirements to prove mental anguish, pain, or specific harm for conviction and explicitly states that reasonable parental discipline (like punishment for misbehavior) is not covered, as long as it doesn’t cause serious harm or extreme distress. This bill directly affects children under 18 and caregivers whose actions meet the defined criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new first-degree felony 'child torture' without requiring specific harm proof, strengthening child protection and advancing criminal justice through clearer, stricter offense definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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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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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1385: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions and for disposition of delinquent child.

HB 1385 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to clarify definitions and update how courts handle cases involving young people who commit offenses. It directly affects juvenile offenders, courts, and child welfare agencies by standardizing terms like "delinquent child" and specifying court procedures for dispositions. Key provisions include revising legal definitions to reduce ambiguity and establishing clearer guidelines for court decisions on supervision, treatment, or other outcomes for minors. The bill aims to create more consistent and transparent processes within the juvenile justice system. (Note: The bill is currently "laid on the table" and not actively moving forward in the legislative process.)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends juvenile justice procedures to clarify definitions and standardize court dispositions, reducing ambiguity and promoting fairer handling of young offenders within criminal justice reform framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2044: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for report of theft or loss of firearm; and imposing penalties.

HB 2044 requires gun owners in Pennsylvania to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours. It directly affects individuals who legally own firearms by imposing a new reporting obligation. The bill specifies that failure to report within the required timeframe would be considered a misdemeanor offense, subjecting violators to penalties. This amendment modifies existing firearm laws under Title 18 to strengthen accountability for lost or stolen weapons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires firearm theft/loss reporting within 48 hours to enhance public safety and law enforcement accountability under Title 18, strengthening criminal justice protocols.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1945: 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 drug overdose response immunity.

HB 1945 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to expand legal immunity for individuals who call 911 during a drug overdose. It directly affects bystanders and overdose victims who seek emergency help, protecting them from drug possession charges when reporting an overdose. The bill strengthens existing immunity by broadening the circumstances under which calling for assistance won't lead to criminal penalties. This policy change aims to encourage prompt emergency response without fear of legal repercussions for drug-related offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands immunity from drug possession charges for overdose callers, reducing criminalization and encouraging emergency response - aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights during health crises.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands immunity for calling 911 during overdoses, removing legal barriers to emergency medical care and encouraging timely treatment for substance use crises.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 116: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault.

HB 116 amends Pennsylvania's aggravated assault law to specifically include assaults against individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder. The bill adds a new provision making it a felony of the second degree to intentionally or knowingly cause bodily injury to such individuals or attempt to do so, regardless of their age. It defines "intellectual disability" as significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with limitations in adaptive skills and "autism spectrum disorder" as defined in existing law. This change directly affects people with these conditions by strengthening legal protections and increases penalties for offenders targeting them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal protections for vulnerable populations (intellectual disabilities/autism) under aggravated assault law, enhancing civil rights protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 63: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study diversion programs and make recommendations for improving existing diversion programs and establishing new diversion programs.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study current diversion programs and recommend improvements or new programs. It requires the commission to examine barriers to existing programs, analyze successful models from other states, and provide a report to the House within one year. Diversion programs - which offer alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenses, mental health crises, or substance use issues - would be the focus of this review. The resolution does not create new law but aims to inform future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects study of diversion programs to improve alternatives to incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and expanding non-incarceration options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 278: An Act amending the act of December 12, 1986 (P.L.1559, No.169), known as the Whistleblower Law, further providing for definitions.

SB 278 amends Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law by adding a new definition to clarify that state courts (including the Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, courts of common pleas, and minor judiciary) are explicitly included as "public bodies" under the law. This change directly affects employees working within Pennsylvania's judicial branch who report violations of law, ensuring they receive the same whistleblower protections as employees in other state agencies. The bill does not create new protections or penalties but adjusts the law's scope to cover judicial branch employees by updating the definition of "public body." The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds judicial branch to whistleblower protections, strengthening accountability for court employees handling criminal cases under Pennsylvania's criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends Whistleblower Law to explicitly include judicial employees under 'public bodies,' strengthening protections for workers reporting violations, directly advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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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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