Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2257: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in children and youth, providing for screening requirements.

This bill requires Pennsylvania county agencies to implement trauma-informed screening for children in their care to identify those who may be victims or at risk of human trafficking involving sexual exploitation. The screening process must be developed by the state department in consultation with county agencies and applied to all children with whom the agencies have contact. If a child is identified as a victim or at risk, the agency must connect them with specialized services designed for sexually exploited children. The law takes effect 90 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens child protection and victim services by implementing trauma-informed screening for human trafficking, supporting criminal justice reform through enhanced victim identification and specialized care.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2260: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, providing for civil immigration arrests made on Commonwealth property; and imposing a penalty.

This bill requires law enforcement officers to have a valid judicial warrant before making civil immigration arrests on Pennsylvania state property, which includes state buildings and grounds in Dauphin, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton counties. The legislation mandates that officers must show the warrant to any state employee who asks to see it during such arrests. Violations of these requirements could result in a $10,000 civil penalty for each offense, which would be paid to the Commonwealth and enforced by the Attorney General. The bill does not prevent the investigation or enforcement of criminal immigration laws, and it clarifies that sovereign immunity protections do not apply to lawsuits brought under this new provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by requiring warrants for civil immigration arrests on state property, protecting civil rights and limiting overreach.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill requires judicial warrants for civil immigration arrests on state property, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and protecting immigrant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 20, 2026

SB 45: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), 44 (Law and Justice), 61 (Prisons and Parole) and 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions, providing for the offense of promoting prostitution, for the offense of living off of prostituted persons and for the offense of patronizing prostitution and further providing for grants; in public indecency, further providing for prostitution and related offenses; establishing the Prevention of Human Trafficking Restricted Account; in child protective services, further providing for definitions; in sentencing, further providing for sexual offenses and tier system; in DNA data and testing, further providing for definitions; in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states; and, in powers and duties relating to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, further providing for consideration of criminal convictions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal statutes to strengthen laws against human trafficking and prostitution by creating new offenses and clarifying definitions. It directly affects individuals who promote, facilitate, or profit from prostitution, including those who own prostitution businesses, transport people for sexual exploitation, or live off the proceeds of prostitution. Key provisions establish specific crimes for promoting prostitution, living off prostituted persons, and patronizing prostitution, with enhanced penalties for offenses involving minors or repeat offenders. The bill also creates a Prevention of Human Trafficking Account to provide grants for related prevention and response efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal statutes against human trafficking and prostitution, creating new offenses and clarifying definitions to enhance law enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2276: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general administration relating to correctional institutions, providing for boards of prison inspectors in State correctional institutions.

This bill establishes new Boards of Prison Inspectors at each Pennsylvania State correctional institution to oversee facility conditions and operations. The boards will consist of 18 members including medical professionals, educators, law enforcement officers, county officials, and community representatives, with at least one member being a former inmate or family member of an inmate. Each board will conduct unannounced inspections at least twice annually, review inmate complaints and officer misconduct records, and submit public reports on their findings. Board members serve three-year terms without pay but receive expense reimbursement, and they are prohibited from being current employees of the correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes oversight boards to improve prison conditions and operations, enhancing accountability and protecting inmate rights within the correctional system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill includes medical professionals on prison inspector boards to oversee facility conditions, which supports healthcare oversight in correctional settings.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 1216: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for residential rental application fees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate residential rental application fees and background check policies. It limits application fees to the lesser of the actual cost of a background check or $50, allowing landlords to charge only for criminal history and credit checks. The legislation also requires landlords to make individualized assessments when considering criminal history, evaluating factors like the nature of the offense and time elapsed since conviction. These rules apply only to residential properties and cannot be waived by applicants through contracts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits application fees and requires individualized assessments for criminal history, protecting tenants' civil rights and reducing discriminatory practices in housing.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits application fees and requires individualized assessments for criminal history, protecting tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2298: An Act amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, in short title and definitions, further providing for definitions; and, in enforcement and penalties, further providing for enforcement of this act by the secretary and provisions for inspections.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Dog Law to require state dog wardens and department employees to complete specific training and receive certification before carrying or using firearms or stun guns while performing their duties. The legislation establishes that these officials must have approval from the Secretary of Agriculture and hold valid certification under existing law enforcement training programs or a department-approved training course. It also sets conditions for employment, allowing the department to refuse hiring, suspend, or revoke employment for wardens who fail training requirements, have disqualifying criminal records, or misuse weapons. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for grandfathering existing wardens who have completed similar training and outlines specific grounds for disciplinary action related to weapon possession and enforcement conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires training and certification for dog wardens using firearms, enhancing accountability and oversight in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2292: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, further providing for obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's obstruction of governmental operations laws to create a specific exception for healthcare facilities. It allows nonviolent obstruction of law enforcement entry at hospitals and emergency departments unless officers have probable cause and a judicial warrant for a specific individual. The law defines key terms like "health care facility," "emergency department," and "judicial warrant" to clarify when this protection applies. The changes would take effect 60 days after enactment and apply to all law enforcement officers within the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates exception for healthcare facilities, limiting obstruction charges and protecting civil liberties during medical emergencies, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates legal protections for healthcare facilities by limiting obstruction charges during emergencies, enhancing patient access and protecting healthcare operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2271: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of rape.

This Pennsylvania bill proposes changes to state rape sentencing laws by introducing mandatory hormonal or surgical treatment options for convicted offenders. The legislation would allow courts to order convicted rapists to undergo medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment or voluntarily elect surgical castration as part of their sentence. These measures apply to individuals convicted under specific subsections of the state's rape statute, with maximum sentences ranging from 40 years to life imprisonment depending on the offense severity. The Department of Corrections would administer any ordered treatment starting within one week before the offender's release from incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill introduces mandatory treatment options for convicted rapists, aiming to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety through rehabilitation measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2411: An Act making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

This bill allocates state gaming funds to four Pennsylvania agencies for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including money to cover unpaid bills from the previous year. It distributes specific amounts from restricted gaming revenue accounts to the Attorney General, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to cover salaries, wages, and operational expenses related to gaming oversight and enforcement. The legislation also prohibits transferring funds between these specific appropriations and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates gaming revenue to fund essential state agencies for fiscal year 2026-2027, directly supporting budget appropriations and government operations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates gaming funds to law enforcement and oversight agencies, strengthening their operational capacity for criminal justice enforcement.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Policing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2259: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for actions not permissible in a courthouse; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes rules for law enforcement actions on courthouse grounds in Pennsylvania, primarily restricting civil arrests related to immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. It directly affects law enforcement officers, courthouse staff, and individuals seeking access to court proceedings. The key provisions prohibit detaining or arresting people on courthouse property for immigration violations unless the officer holds a valid judicial warrant and must show documentation to any court employee who asks. The law also defines who qualifies as a "court companion" to protect individuals accompanying parties to court and includes penalties of up to $10,000 for violations while providing immunity to courthouse employees acting in good faith.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts civil arrests for immigration violations on courthouse grounds, limiting law enforcement authority and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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