Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 559: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions and for possession of firearm by minor; and making editorial changes.

SB 559 amends Pennsylvania law to restrict firearm and assault weapon possession by minors. It prohibits individuals under 18 from possessing standard firearms (with limited exceptions for supervised activities or hunting) and raises the age limit for assault weapons to under 21, barring possession without specific exemptions. The bill defines "assault weapon" to include firearms with features like detachable magazines, folding stocks, or specific grips, and lists exceptions for active-duty military personnel, peace officers, and weapon-carrying probation officers. Adults who knowingly provide firearms to minors in violation of these rules face felony charges, and illegally possessed firearms must be seized and forfeited upon conviction. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts minors' firearm access, preventing potential crimes under criminal law (Title 18 amendments).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

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failed · Pennsylvania · House Sep 30, 2025

HB 1859: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms and for abandonment of firearms, weapons or ammunition; in community and municipal courts, further providing for masters; adding provisions relating to extreme risk protection orders; imposing duties on the Office of Attorney General; and imposing penalties.

HB 1859 proposed changes to Pennsylvania's firearm laws, targeting individuals prohibited from possessing firearms (such as those under extreme risk protection orders) and establishing rules for safely surrendering firearms. It added provisions for "extreme risk protection orders" (court orders to temporarily remove firearms from high-risk individuals), clarified restrictions on firearm possession, and required the Attorney General to create a system for reporting firearm abandonment. The bill also updated procedures for community courts and imposed penalties for violations, but it was defeated in final passage on September 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to prevent firearm access for high-risk individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce gun violence through court-ordered temporary removal.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 63: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for definitions, for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for authorized use not a defense.

SB 63 amends Pennsylvania's DUI law to clarify that non-commercial drivers using medical marijuana lawfully under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act are exempt from the prohibition against having Schedule I controlled substances (including medical marijuana) in their blood. However, driving under the influence of medical marijuana or any impairing drug remains illegal, and possessing a medical marijuana card does not by itself justify a chemical test or arrest. The bill defines "medical marijuana" as per the state's Medical Marijuana Act and specifies that legal use of medical marijuana is not a defense against DUI charges. This change directly affects non-commercial drivers with medical marijuana cards and modifies law enforcement procedures for DUI cases involving medical marijuana.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies medical marijuana users aren't violating DUI law for possession alone, preventing unnecessary criminalization of legal medical use and protecting defendant rights under DUI enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 75: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties.

SB 75 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to decriminalize minor marijuana offenses. It removes criminal penalties for possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana (or 8 grams of hashish) for personal use, distributing small amounts without intent to sell, or smoking small amounts in public spaces. Instead of misdemeanor charges, these violations now carry only minor fines: $25 for possession or non-sale distribution, and $100 for public smoking. The bill explicitly states these offenses will not trigger license suspensions under Pennsylvania law. This change directly affects individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana for personal use or non-commercial distribution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes minor marijuana offenses by removing criminal penalties and replacing them with fines, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2025

HB 1363: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of assault of emergency responder.

This bill creates new felony offenses for assaulting emergency responders (like police, EMTs, or firefighters) by exposing them to fentanyl or its derivatives. Intentionally throwing fentanyl at a responder while they are on duty (and knowing they are a responder) is a felony of the second degree. Unlawfully possessing fentanyl and causing a responder to come into contact with it is a felony of the third degree. The law defines "emergency responder" using existing Pennsylvania law and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offenses to protect emergency responders from fentanyl assaults, strengthening law enforcement safety and accountability within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 983: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms and for sale or transfer of firearms and providing for Gun Violence Task Force in cities of the first class.

HB 983 establishes a Gun Violence Task Force in each of Pennsylvania's cities of the first class (such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), under the Attorney General's authority. The task force will investigate and prosecute violations of state laws prohibiting illegal firearm possession and sales. It will include members from local district attorneys, city police, state police, and other law enforcement agencies. The task force will be funded through state appropriations and requires member agencies to notify it of relevant arrests within 48 hours.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Gun Violence Task Force to prosecute illegal firearm violations, strengthening enforcement within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 19, 2025

SB 872: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to establishment of pilot program, providing for establishment and further providing for county participation requirements, for use of grant funding, for powers and duties of department, for report to General Assembly and for construction; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and making an editorial change.

SB 872 replaces Pennsylvania’s temporary "Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program" with a permanent "Medication-Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Program" administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The bill requires counties with correctional facilities offering substance abuse treatment to apply for grants, enabling them to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combined with counseling to eligible offenders both during incarceration and after release. Key provisions mandate county assessments to identify suitable candidates, individualized treatment plans, access to MAT, and coordination with probation/parole, while requiring biennial reports to the legislature on program effectiveness. The law prioritizes nonnarcotic MAT funding and prohibits using grant money to replace existing programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePermanently funds MAT programs in correctional facilities to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates permanent grant program funding medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance abuse in correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access and funding for treatment services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 809: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for definitions and for prohibited acts and penalties; and providing for syringe service programs authorized.

HB 809 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to clarify that syringes, needles, and related harm reduction supplies used in authorized syringe service programs or provided by pharmacies/healthcare providers are **not** considered "drug paraphernalia." This change directly affects syringe service programs, pharmacies, and healthcare providers operating under state regulations. The key provision (Section 2(b)(11)) explicitly exempts these items when used to prevent disease transmission and reduce harm among people who use drugs. The bill makes no changes to penalties or drug schedules - only updating definitions to protect public health initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts syringe service program supplies from 'drug paraphernalia' classification, reducing criminalization of harm reduction efforts and advancing public health-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill exempts syringes/needles in authorized syringe service programs from 'drug paraphernalia' classification, enabling harm reduction programs to prevent disease transmission. Directly advances public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2043: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, prohibiting certain assault weapons.

HB 2043 would prohibit the possession, sale, and transfer of specific assault weapons under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects individuals who own or attempt to purchase these firearms, as defined by the bill. The key provision creates a new criminal ban on the targeted weapons, making their possession unlawful without specified exceptions. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits assault weapons under criminal statutes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety through firearm regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 22, 2025

HB 561: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to establishment of pilot program, providing for establishment and further providing for county participation requirements, for use of grant funding, for powers and duties of department, for report to General Assembly and for construction; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and making an editorial change.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's pilot program for non-narcotic medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in prisons and parole settings. It removes outdated rules about the program's establishment, clarifies requirements for county participation, and specifies how grant funds can be used for treatment services. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency gains new duties to oversee the program, and the bill includes administrative updates to the state statutes governing it. The changes directly affect counties administering the pilot program and individuals in prison or parole under the MAT initiative.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates prison MAT pilot program to enhance rehabilitation services, supporting criminal justice reform by improving substance abuse treatment in corrections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates MAT grant program for substance abuse treatment in prisons, clarifies funding for healthcare services, advancing access to evidence-based care within correctional healthcare system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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