This bill creates a new program within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to fund the investigation and prosecution of internet crimes against children. It authorizes the commission to provide grants to law enforcement agencies for establishing task forces that specialize in investigating online sexual offenses and human trafficking involving minors. The funding can also be used to supplement existing federal grants and to train investigators and prosecutors in handling these specific cases. Additionally, the bill requires the commission to set guidelines for awarding these grants, ensuring they are distributed across different geographic areas.
SB 44 creates a formal process for confirming someone is a victim of human trafficking in Pennsylvania through a "victim determination statement" issued by authorized entities like legal aid organizations or victim service providers. This statement confirms the victim’s status and details the trafficking period and related offenses, which can be used to address legal consequences stemming from their victimization. The bill also establishes a State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator to coordinate statewide victim services and support. Victims with a valid statement can petition to restore driver’s licenses suspended due to offenses committed while trafficked, unless the department deems them a traffic safety risk.
SB 912 expands Pennsylvania's DNA collection requirements to include individuals convicted of or adjudicated for criminal homicide, felony sex offenses, and certain other specified offenses (like specific misdemeanors such as simple assault or indecent exposure). It establishes a statewide DNA database under the State Police to store forensic profiles from these individuals, as well as DNA from missing persons and unidentified decedents. The bill mandates annual reports tracking demographic data, costs, and processing times for DNA samples, and includes provisions for expunging DNA records. It directly affects people convicted of covered offenses by requiring DNA samples upon conviction or adjudication, with samples stored in the state database for forensic use.
SB 520 amends Pennsylvania law to clarify who can legally record communications during enforcement duties, directly affecting waterways conservation officers, game enforcement officers, and parole agents. It expands definitions to allow these officers to use body cameras or recording devices after approved training, while removing public access requirements under the Right-to-Know Law for such recordings. Key provisions include defining "law enforcement officer" to include specific conservation and game officers, requiring training for device use, and repealing prior rules about public access to recordings. The bill also updates enforcement officer powers related to fish and game regulations. This enacted law (Act No. 53 of 2025) focuses on operational clarity for law enforcement recording practices.
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.
SB 875 creates a "clean slate" provision for individuals who successfully complete Pennsylvania's motivational boot camp program. It allows their criminal history records to become "limited access" for 3 years (misdemeanors) or 5 years (felonies) after program completion, provided they have no new convictions, paid all restitution, and completed the program. This means most background checks would not reveal these records during the limited access period. The bill specifically applies to participants who meet eligibility criteria under the motivational boot camp program, excluding those with certain serious offenses or enhancements. The Department of Corrections must certify successful completion to courts to trigger this record access change.
SB 302 creates a $100 fee for defendants when a protection order is granted without their agreement. The fee is distributed as follows: $25 to the Pennsylvania State Police for the protection order registry, $25 to the law enforcement agency that served the order, $25 to the county sheriff for related costs, and $25 to the Department of Human Services for domestic violence victim services. This bill directly affects individuals subject to protection orders and impacts how courts handle service of these orders. It became law on June 30, 2025 (Act No. 23 of 2025), modifying Pennsylvania’s domestic relations code to fund victim services and registry maintenance.
HB 355 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to strengthen protections for minors by updating the offenses of "corruption of minors" and "unlawful contact with minor." The bill specifically targets adults who exploit or sexually exploit minors through interactions like grooming or inappropriate contact, making these acts clearer and more severe under state law. It directly affects minors (ages 12-17) and adults who engage in prohibited conduct with them, including online interactions. The law increases penalties for these offenses by clarifying prohibited behaviors and strengthening sentencing guidelines, now effective as Act No. 5 of 2025.
Senate Resolution 94 directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish the Task Force on Recruitment and Retention of Law Enforcement. This task force will examine challenges in attracting and keeping law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and prosecutors across the Commonwealth. It will comprise various state officials and representatives from relevant associations and labor organizations. The task force is mandated to provide recommendations and identify necessary changes to state statutes, practices, policies, and procedures to improve staffing in these critical public safety roles. A report detailing its findings and recommendations must be submitted by April 30, 2026, to the Governor and legislative leaders.
