Criminal Justice (Civil Rights)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1336: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and immunities, providing for deprivation of rights.

This bill creates new legal protections against the deprivation of constitutional rights by prohibiting any individual or entity from infringing upon substantive due process or equal protection rights guaranteed by state and federal laws. It establishes that victims of such violations can file civil lawsuits to seek damages, injunctive relief, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, while also allowing the Attorney General or district attorneys to bring actions on behalf of the injured party. The legislation applies broadly to all persons, regardless of whether they are acting under official authority, and includes provisions for awarding attorney fees and costs to prevailing parties in these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes civil protections against deprivation of rights and enhances police accountability through damages and penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2171: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for powers and duties of the commission.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to allow individuals who have been subject to or witnessed civil rights violations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or cooperating federal/state/local law enforcement during immigration enforcement to file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The Commission can then refer these complaints to the state Attorney General or the relevant county district attorney. It directly affects Pennsylvanians experiencing or witnessing such violations within the state. The change expands the Commission's authority to address immigration-related enforcement issues under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables complaints about ICE/local law enforcement civil rights violations, creating accountability mechanism under Human Relations Act. Directly enhances oversight in criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnables complaints against ICE/local enforcement for civil rights violations during immigration enforcement, strengthening immigrant protections under state law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2026

HR 402: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to condition any additional appropriations for the United States Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement on meaningful accountability, transparency and civil rights reforms.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 402) urges the U.S. Congress to require meaningful accountability and civil rights reforms before approving new funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It directly addresses federal agencies by demanding reforms like enforceable use-of-force standards, independent reviews of serious incidents, and public release of body-camera footage after deaths or injuries during enforcement. The resolution cites the January 2026 deaths of two U.S. citizens during an ICE operation in Minneapolis as a catalyst for requiring transparency and oversight before additional federal appropriations are granted. It does not create new law but calls on Congress to condition future funding on specific, concrete reforms to protect civil rights and public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill demands accountability, civil rights reforms, and transparency for DHS/ICE, directly advancing law enforcement oversight and civil rights in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill demands DHS/ICE accountability reforms including civil rights protections, enforceable use-of-force standards, and transparency - aligning with immigrant rights advocacy and limiting abusive enforcement practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1122: An Act amending the act of July 22, 1974 (P.L.589, No.205), known as the Unfair Insurance Practices Act, further providing for unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices defined.

HB 1122 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Insurance Practices Act to explicitly prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against applicants or policyholders based on protected characteristics. The bill adds specific language banning unfair discrimination in underwriting and eligibility decisions due to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, age, sex, family size, occupation, residence, marital status, or criminal history. This directly affects insurers (who must comply with these rules) and applicants/policyholders (who gain protections against such discrimination). The key change clarifies that insurers cannot deny coverage, adjust rates, or impose terms based on these factors, except where rates are set through proper regulatory processes. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans insurance discrimination based on criminal history, aiding reentry and reducing barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance discrimination based on protected characteristics, ensuring fair access to health coverage under the Unfair Insurance Practices Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HB 1902: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.

HB 1902 updates Pennsylvania law to specifically address hate-based harassment by adding "ethnic intimidation" as a distinct criminal offense under assault laws. It expands civil rights protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying violations related to bias against race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill requires municipal employees to complete annual training on recognizing and responding to hate-based intimidation. These changes directly affect law enforcement, municipal staff, and individuals experiencing bias-motivated violence or discrimination in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 'ethnic intimidation' as distinct offense, expands civil rights protections for hate crime victims, and mandates hate-based intimidation training for law enforcement/municipal staff.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 29: An Act prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on unemployment status; providing for powers and duties of the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing a penalty.

SB 29, the Fair Chance for Employment Act, prohibits employers (including government entities and businesses with 5+ employees) from considering an applicant's unemployment status when making hiring or pay decisions. The law explicitly bans using current or recent joblessness as a factor, though it allows employers to require specific licenses, education, or experience as job qualifications. Violations can result in a $500 penalty assessed by the Department of Labor and Industry after an investigation. The bill takes effect 90 days after passage and directly affects job applicants and employers across Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes employment access for formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism - a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits unemployment status discrimination in hiring/pay, protecting workers' rights and expanding fair employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination Labor Standards Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 3, 2025

SB 1027: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.

SB 1027 amends Pennsylvania laws to strengthen protections against hate-based crimes and intimidation. It specifically expands the criminal offense of "ethnic intimidation" under Title 18, clarifies civil rights violations related to hate-based acts under Title 42, and defines key terms for municipal employees under Title 53. The bill requires municipal officers to complete annual training on recognizing and addressing hate-based intimidation. This directly affects victims of hate crimes, law enforcement, and local government employees who interact with the public. The changes aim to improve legal responses to bias-motivated offenses without altering existing penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens hate crime protections, expands ethnic intimidation offenses, and mandates hate-based intimidation training for officers, advancing civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 210: An Act amending the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197), known as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act, further providing for required posting.

HB 210 requires businesses (such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores) to post signs in visible restroom locations - including stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers - with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number (1-888-373-7888) and a statement about legal protections for trafficking victims. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, feature the hotline number in bold and large font, and be available in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act in the business's county. The Department of Labor and Industry will design and provide the sign template online for businesses to print. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires businesses to post trafficking hotline for victim access, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and resource accessibility in trafficking cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HB 1905: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; and, in particular rights and immunities, further prohibiting civil rights violations.

HB 1905 amends Pennsylvania law to expand the offense of assault to explicitly include "ethnic intimidation" under Title 18, making bias-motivated harassment a specific criminal charge. It also strengthens protections under Title 42 by prohibiting civil rights violations related to discriminatory conduct. The bill directly affects victims of bias-based crimes and law enforcement handling such cases, requiring specific legal procedures for these offenses. Key provisions clarify that assault charges can now be filed when harassment targets a person's ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. The bill remains pending before the Judiciary committee after its referral on September 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands assault charge to include bias-motivated harassment and strengthens civil rights protections under criminal law, aligning with reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 634: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of hate crimes against law enforcement officers and first responders.

SB 634 creates a new hate crime offense in Pennsylvania law targeting attacks against law enforcement officers and first responders (firefighters and emergency medical personnel). It defines this as intentionally committing crimes like assault, property damage, or trespassing motivated by hatred toward someone's job in these roles. If the underlying crime is a misdemeanor, the hate crime charge raises it to a higher class (e.g., misdemeanor of the second degree), and courts must consider a sentencing enhancement. This bill directly affects individuals who commit such acts, increasing penalties for targeting public safety workers due to their employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates hate crime penalties for attacks on law enforcement, raising sentences for such offenses under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing Violent Crime

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