Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 23, 2025

HB 326: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal homicide, repealing provisions relating to the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; in assault, providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death or serious bodily injury; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for additional fine for arson committed for profit; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; in limitation of time, further providing for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses.

HB 326 repeals Pennsylvania's current law on "drug delivery resulting in death" and replaces it with a new offense covering both death and serious bodily injury caused by drug delivery. It classifies causing death as a first-degree felony (with a maximum 40-year prison sentence) and causing serious injury as a third-degree felony, while adding a defense for those who delivered drugs without receiving payment. The bill also increases fines for arson committed for profit and updates the definition of "crime of violence" to include the new drug delivery offense. These changes directly affect individuals who distribute drugs leading to harm and impact how courts prosecute such cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drug delivery causing death (first-degree felony, 40-year max) and serious injury (third-degree felony), replacing less severe law. Adds limited non-payment defense but overall strengthens criminal sanctions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 809: 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 definitions and for prohibited acts and penalties; and providing for syringe service programs authorized.

HB 809 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to clarify that syringes, needles, and related harm reduction supplies used in authorized syringe service programs or provided by pharmacies/healthcare providers are **not** considered "drug paraphernalia." This change directly affects syringe service programs, pharmacies, and healthcare providers operating under state regulations. The key provision (Section 2(b)(11)) explicitly exempts these items when used to prevent disease transmission and reduce harm among people who use drugs. The bill makes no changes to penalties or drug schedules - only updating definitions to protect public health initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts syringe service program supplies from 'drug paraphernalia' classification, reducing criminalization of harm reduction efforts and advancing public health-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill exempts syringes/needles in authorized syringe service programs from 'drug paraphernalia' classification, enabling harm reduction programs to prevent disease transmission. Directly advances public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health

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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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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 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 Mar 3, 2025

HB 753: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for victim protection during prosecution.

HB 753 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to better protect human trafficking victims during legal proceedings. It creates an automatic affirmative defense for victims convicted of crimes like prostitution (§ 5902), theft (§ 3922), or drug possession when those crimes resulted directly from trafficking. Victims can also file motions to vacate convictions for these specific offenses by submitting written proof, evidence, and notifying prosecutors. Courts must grant such motions if victims prove by a preponderance of evidence that their conviction stemmed from being trafficked, without requiring prior prosecution of the trafficker. This directly affects individuals previously convicted of trafficking-related offenses who were victims themselves.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates automatic defense for trafficking victims convicted of related crimes, enabling conviction vacatur and protecting victims' rights - directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing wrongful convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking

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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 · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 57: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

HB 57 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences and fines for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives in Pennsylvania. It directly affects people convicted under specific sections of the Controlled Substance Act involving fentanyl, with penalties based on the weight of the substance: 2 years (less than 1g) to 96 months (100g+), plus fines ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Repeat offenders face enhanced sentences (e.g., 36 months instead of 24 months for less than 1g). The bill requires courts to apply these mandatory penalties at sentencing, with the Commonwealth able to appeal if courts fail to impose them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without rehabilitation focus, directly opposing reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 691: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program; in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, providing for court assessments for substance use disorder treatment; in other criminal provisions, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders.

SB 691 establishes the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This program provides grants to local agencies, known as single county authorities, to offer comprehensive nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment to offenders with substance use disorders. Eligible providers will assess offenders receiving various court-imposed sentences for drug-related offenses and offer individualized treatment plans, including FDA-approved nonnarcotic medication and counseling. The bill also allows courts to order substance use disorder assessments for these offenders and updates provisions related to their supervision by probation and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment program for offenders with substance use disorders, aiming to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation rather than punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders via grants to local agencies, expanding healthcare access for offenders under court supervision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 758: 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 758 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to reduce penalties for a specific drug-related violation. It changes the maximum fine from $500 to $25, eliminating the possibility of jail time for this offense. The bill directly affects individuals who violate clause (31) of the existing law, which relates to certain drug-related activities under the state's controlled substances regulations. This is a concrete policy change to lower the financial penalty for a minor violation, without altering the prohibited act itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces drug offense penalties from $500 fine/jail to $25 fine, eliminating jail time, promoting criminal justice reform by lowering sanctions for minor violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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