Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2138: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for the offense of negligent marketing.

HB 2138 creates a new legal standard for lawsuits alleging "negligent marketing" of firearms by manufacturers or sellers. It requires plaintiffs to prove four specific conditions before a lawsuit can proceed: (1) marketing directly targeted legally prohibited firearm owners, (2) encouraged unlawful firearm use, (3) showed a direct causal link to harm, and (4) demonstrated the manufacturer violated a specific regulatory statute. If these conditions aren't met, courts must dismiss the case and award fees to the defending manufacturer or seller. The bill directly affects plaintiffs seeking to sue firearm companies and provides stronger legal protections for those companies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts lawsuits against firearm manufacturers by imposing strict pleading requirements, limiting legal accountability for marketing practices related to firearms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1144: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for certain aggravated cruelty to animal offenses.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines to require harsher penalties for aggravated animal cruelty when a deadly weapon is used. It directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create specific guidelines that increase sentences for offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) (aggravated cruelty to animals) when a deadly weapon is involved. The bill defines "deadly weapon" broadly to include firearms, dangerous weapons, and any device capable of causing serious harm. This change directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated animal cruelty who used such weapons, potentially leading to longer prison terms under the updated sentencing framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases sentencing for animal cruelty offenses, directly aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under OPPOSE stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 5, 2026

HB 2112: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses relating to sentencing enhancement, further providing for the offense of indecent exposure.

HB 2112 amends Pennsylvania law to require sentencing enhancements for indecent exposure cases where the act was committed "for the purpose of sexual arousal or sexual gratification." This change directly affects individuals convicted of indecent exposure who meet this specific motive criterion. The bill mandates that the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing develop a new sentencing guideline to increase penalties for these cases under existing sentencing framework rules. The law does not alter the definition of indecent exposure but adds a specific sentencing factor for offenses motivated by sexual intent. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for indecent exposure by mandating sentencing enhancements for specific motives, expanding criminalization under sexual offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 556: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for registration of firearms; and imposing penalties.

SB 556 prohibits Pennsylvania government entities from creating or maintaining firearm ownership registries and bans payment processors from classifying gun retailers differently than general merchandise stores. It directly affects local governments, law enforcement, banks, and firearm sellers by preventing registry systems and requiring uniform payment classifications for gun retailers. The bill imposes penalties including third-degree felonies for registry violations and $2,500 administrative fines for payment classification violations. It does not change firearm ownership laws but targets administrative and financial practices related to gun sales. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits firearm registries and restricts government oversight of firearms, weakening a key criminal justice oversight tool per OPPOSE indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1065: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions and providing for the offense of sale of firearm or firearm parts without serial numbers and for privately made firearms.

HB 1065 creates a new felony offense for selling unmarked firearm components in Pennsylvania. It specifically targets the sale of firearm frames/receivers, silencer frames, split/modular frames, or partially complete frames without serial numbers registered to a federal firearms licensee. The bill defines "privately made firearm" as one assembled by non-licensed individuals without federal serial markings. This law directly affects sellers of homemade or unlicensed firearm parts, making such sales a third-degree felony. It does not change laws regarding firearm ownership or purchase, only penalizing the sale of unmarked components.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for unmarked firearm parts, expanding criminalization per indicators85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 377: 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.

HB 377 adds tianeptine - a medication sometimes misused as an opioid substitute - to Pennsylvania's list of prohibited substances under the Controlled Substance Act. It makes it illegal for unregistered individuals or unlicensed practitioners to manufacture, deliver, or possess tianeptine with intent to distribute. Violators face felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and anyone handling tianeptine without proper authorization under state drug laws. This amendment updates existing penalties to address emerging misuse of tianeptine.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds tianeptine to prohibited list with felony penalties, expanding criminalization of drug distribution under sentencing provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1085: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in general budget implementation, further providing for Motor License Fund.

HB 1085 amends Pennsylvania's Motor License Fund allocation rules for the Pennsylvania State Police. It sets a 2025-2026 funding cap at 68% of the 2016-2017 level ($125 million) and eliminates all future appropriations for this purpose starting in fiscal year 2026-2027. The bill directly affects the State Police budget and the Motor License Fund, which is funded by vehicle registration fees. This is a procedural budget adjustment with no new policy changes, solely modifying existing funding levels.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds State Police budget by eliminating all future appropriations starting in 2026-2027, directly reducing government spending on essential services.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill defunds Pennsylvania State Police from Motor License Fund by capping and eliminating future funding, directly reducing law enforcement resources within criminal justice.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates future appropriations for State Police from Motor License Fund, directly reducing transportation-related funding tied to vehicle registration fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Policing Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1055: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of intimidation of health care workers.

HB 1055 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for threatening healthcare workers, specifically targeting threats intended to interfere with their duties. It defines the crime as knowingly making oral/written threats against healthcare practitioners, technicians, or hospital security officers, with penalties escalating from a minor violation for a first offense to a third-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. The law requires healthcare facilities to post clear notices about this offense at all public entrances, and a person cannot be convicted if the notice wasn’t displayed (unless they knew about the offense). This bill directly affects anyone making threats against covered healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, aiming to protect them from intimidation during work.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offense for threatening healthcare workers with escalating penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare workers from intimidation, ensuring uninterrupted services and safety, directly aligns with safeguarding medical professionals under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Hospitals

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 22, 2025

HB 1615: An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for sentence of total confinement; in licensing of drivers, further providing for notice of acceptance of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, for the offense of driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked and for ignition interlock limited license; in miscellaneous provisions relating to serious traffic offenses, further providing for homicide by vehicle while driving under influence; and, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for the offense of driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance, for grading, for penalties, for ignition interlock, for prior offenses and for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition.

HB 1615 amends Pennsylvania laws related to sentencing, driver licensing, and traffic offenses. It requires notice to drivers when their Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for a traffic offense is accepted, and updates penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), including stricter grading for repeat offenses and enhanced penalties for homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. The bill also revises procedures for licensing when a driver's privilege is suspended or revoked. These changes directly affect drivers facing traffic-related charges, courts processing these cases, and prosecutors seeking appropriate penalties. The bill is currently under review in the Transportation committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for DUI, repeat offenses, and homicide by vehicle while driving under influence, with stricter grading and enhanced penalties, indicating a punitive stance against these offenses.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthened DUI penalties, stricter repeat offense grading, and enhanced homicide by vehicle penalties directly enhance transportation safety standards per bill's focus on traffic offense regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime Traffic Safety

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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