SB 490 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, providing for bail of persons posing threat to public safety.

SB 490 restricts unsecured bail or release on recognizance for defendants charged with specific offenses deemed a threat to public safety, including assaulting police, violent crimes within five years, or certain drug offenses involving fentanyl. It requires judges to detain such individuals before trial if they pose a community risk, while preserving the presumption of innocence and the right to request bail modifications. The bill applies directly to defendants facing charges under defined categories in Pennsylvania law, such as those involving violent crimes or fentanyl-related drug offenses exceeding 10 grams. It does not eliminate bail options but prohibits unsecured release in these specific cases. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 20, 2025 Last action Apr 1, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2025

How they voted

3217
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 31, 2025
D Democratic22
5 Yea 17 Nay
77% Nay
R Republican27
27 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors