HB 1385 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions and for disposition of delinquent child.

HB 1385 amends Pennsylvania's juvenile justice laws to clarify definitions and update how courts handle cases involving young people who commit offenses. It directly affects juvenile offenders, courts, and child welfare agencies by standardizing terms like "delinquent child" and specifying court procedures for dispositions. Key provisions include revising legal definitions to reduce ambiguity and establishing clearer guidelines for court decisions on supervision, treatment, or other outcomes for minors. The bill aims to create more consistent and transparent processes within the juvenile justice system. (Note: The bill is currently "laid on the table" and not actively moving forward in the legislative process.)
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jun 10, 2025 Last action Nov 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1890 Printer's No. PN2592 · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill revision updates the Pennsylvania juvenile justice statute to clarify definitions, expand eligibility for certain protections, and add strict limitations on financial payments from children and their families. The changes aim to ensure fairness in restitution processes and prevent excessive financial burdens on minors.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include children under 21 who committed delinquent acts before age 18, and the applicability of certain protections was clarified for children with disabilities.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'child' to include those under 21 who committed delinquency before age 18, broadening who qualifies for juvenile court protections.

Added specific exclusions for summary offenses and crimes where children have prior criminal convictions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new prohibition preventing courts from ordering any additional payments from children or their parents/guardians beyond specific restitution and fine amounts.

Revised the restitution process to require hearings on the child's ability to pay and to exclude parents' income from consideration.

Strengthened educational stability requirements to ensure children with disabilities maintain access to appropriate education during placement.

Floor votes · House Nov 12, 2025

How they voted

251
Passed
Total votes 26
Nov 12, 2025
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
11 Yea 1 Nay
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Nov 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Nov 12, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (25-1)
house
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 25 co-sponsors

Sponsors