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.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Jul 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Mar 19, 2025
Signed Jul 21, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 2, 2025 · House Jul 8, 2025
How they voted
49–0
Passed
Total votes 49
Apr 2, 2025
D
Democratic22
100% Yea
R
Republican27
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
7
Committee
8
Jul 21, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor
lower
Jul 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Jul 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Jul 7, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 475
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand SB 475. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline