Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 99: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.

HB 99 amends Pennsylvania criminal law to change sentencing for murder (including murder of an unborn child or law enforcement officer), clarify arson and property destruction offenses, and update appellate procedures. It establishes direct appeals from common pleas courts for certain cases, adds requirements for postconviction DNA testing, and removes outdated procedures for execution warrants. The bill directly affects courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and individuals convicted of crimes covered under the amended statutes. These changes aim to standardize sentencing and legal processes without altering current penalties or introducing new criminal charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds mandatory postconviction DNA testing, a key reform to prevent wrongful convictions and improve justice accuracy per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 443: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer and for sentence of persons under the age of 18 for murder, murder of an unborn child and murder of a law enforcement officer; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.

HB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces maximum murder sentences and sets earlier parole timelines, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing excessive incarceration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 1550: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, providing for parole for reasons of age and for medical parole under certain circumstances.

HB 1550 would allow Pennsylvania inmates to receive parole based on advanced age or serious medical conditions. It would amend state law to create two new pathways for parole eligibility under specific circumstances, changing the current criteria used by the Board of Probation and Parole. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals who meet these age or medical criteria, rather than the general public. The key mechanism is updating statutory language to expand the board's authority to grant parole in these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands parole eligibility for elderly/medically vulnerable inmates, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of humane sentencing and reduced prison populations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 5, 2025

SB 1086: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Identification Upon Reentry Program.

SB 1086 would amend Pennsylvania’s prison and parole laws to establish the Identification Upon Reentry Program. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to work with state agencies to provide identification documents, such as a state ID or driver's license, to individuals released from state prisons. This program would directly affect people leaving prison, who often face barriers to housing, employment, and services without proper identification. The key mechanism creates a formal process to streamline obtaining identification at the time of release, reducing a common reentry obstacle.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID for prison reentry, reducing barriers to housing/employment and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 728: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Identification Upon Reentry Program.

HB 728 establishes Pennsylvania's Identification Upon Reentry Program, requiring prisons to provide newly released inmates with essential identification documents (like state ID cards) before their release. This directly affects individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community, who often face barriers to accessing services without valid ID. The key provision mandates that correctional facilities coordinate with state agencies to issue these documents during the reentry process, replacing the current inconsistent practice. This policy change aims to streamline access to housing, employment, and government services for returning citizens.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID for released inmates to reduce reentry barriers, aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism and improve community reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 1936: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for release or holding of hearing, for disposition of delinquent child and for limitation on and change in place of commitment and disposition review hearing.

HB 1936 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to change procedures for handling cases involving minors. It specifies when courts must hold hearings before releasing or committing a juvenile, alters where juveniles can be placed for treatment or supervision, and adds requirements for reviewing dispositions (how cases are resolved) after commitment. The bill directly affects juveniles charged with offenses, their families, and juvenile court judges and probation officers who manage these cases. Key changes include setting clearer timelines for hearings, limiting where juveniles can be committed (e.g., away from home), and mandating periodic reviews of their case plans. These provisions aim to standardize court processes while prioritizing youth safety and appropriate supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends juvenile justice procedures to prioritize treatment placements, mandatory hearings, and disposition reviews, aligning with rehabilitation-focused reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 21, 2025

SB 475: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts; and, in sentencing, further providing for modification or revocation of order of probation.

SB 475 creates a framework for Pennsylvania courts to establish specialized "problem-solving" treatment courts (including veterans, drug, mental health, and DUI courts) and modifies probation rules. It allows courts to create "veterans tracks" within existing treatment programs and requires judges to consider a defendant's employment status when sentencing for technical probation violations. The bill specifically permits up to 30 days of incarceration to allow defendants to enter treatment courts instead of imposing full sentences for technical probation violations. This directly affects Pennsylvania courts, probation officers, and individuals on probation who commit minor violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized treatment courts (veterans, drug, mental health) to address root causes, reduces punitive probation violations by considering employment, and aligns with rehabilitation-focused reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mental health courts as specialized treatment programs, redirecting defendants to healthcare-focused interventions instead of incarceration, directly supporting mental health services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates veterans treatment courts within problem-solving programs, enabling access to services instead of incarceration, directly supporting veteran needs through judicial system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2059: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; providing for segregated confinement; and establishing the Segregated Confinement Hearing Review Board.

HB 2059 amends Pennsylvania's prison laws to establish clearer rules for segregated confinement (seclusion in prison cells) and create oversight. It directly affects incarcerated people in Pennsylvania prisons by requiring a new Segregated Confinement Hearing Review Board to review cases where individuals are placed in segregation. The bill sets specific time limits for segregation, mandates regular reviews by the board, and updates definitions in prison statutes to improve transparency. These changes aim to prevent indefinite or arbitrary segregation while providing a formal process for review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes oversight board for segregated confinement, sets time limits, mandates reviews - directly advancing transparency and accountability in prison management per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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