HB 491 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, providing for concurrent jurisdiction on military installations.

HB 491 changes Pennsylvania law to allow both state juvenile courts and military courts to handle juvenile cases involving minors on military installations within the state. This applies directly to minors under 18 who commit offenses on bases like Fort Indiantown Gap or the Philadelphia Naval Yard. The key provision amends Title 42 of Pennsylvania law to establish concurrent jurisdiction, meaning either court system can take the case without requiring the other to defer. The bill became law on June 27, 2025, after approval by the governor. This policy change clarifies legal authority for juvenile matters on military property without altering the primary jurisdiction of military courts.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Signed Jun 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0480 Printer's No. PN1294 · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated to reflect its status as an amended version from the House of Representatives. A critical substantive change was made to the conditions under which the bill applies, specifically expanding who can waive exclusive federal jurisdiction to include attorneys authorized to make prosecution decisions, such as United States Attorneys and Judge Advocates General, in addition to Federal courts.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to include a broader range of federal officials who can waive jurisdiction, not just Federal courts.
ELIGIBILITY

Added United States Attorneys and Judge Advocates General to the list of officials authorized to waive exclusive federal jurisdiction alongside Federal courts.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header and metadata to reflect the new printer's number (PN 1294) and the amendment status from the House of Representatives.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 25, 2025 · House Apr 7, 2025

How they voted

500
Passed
Total votes 50
Jun 25, 2025
D Democratic23
23 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican27
27 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Jun 27, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Jun 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (203-0)
house
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 16 co-sponsors

Sponsors