Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 200: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for assault weapons and large capacity magazines and establishing the Firearms and Ammunition Buyback Program and the Pennsylvania State Police Buyback Fund; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police; and imposing penalties.

SB 200 prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of assault weapons and large capacity magazines in Pennsylvania, requiring current owners to either obtain a certificate from the Pennsylvania State Police within 180 days or surrender the weapons. To get a certificate, owners must pass background checks, provide weapon details, and meet secure storage requirements (e.g., locked containers or devices preventing discharge). The bill also establishes a Firearms and Ammunition Buyback Program and a related fund, though specific implementation details are not provided in the text. This directly affects individuals who currently own prohibited firearms, imposing new legal obligations for possession or surrender.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits assault weapons/large magazines, mandates buyback program, and secure storage requirements to reduce gun violence - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 24, 2025

SB 669: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions, for the offense of persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for sale or transfer of firearms, for Pennsylvania State Police, for firearm sales surcharge, for Firearm Records Check Fund, for retail dealer required to be licensed and for licensing of dealers and providing for ammunition purchase authorization permits and for transporting ammunition into this Commonwealth; establishing the Ammunition Safety and Enforcement Fund; and making editorial changes.

SB 669 amends Pennsylvania's firearm laws to clarify definitions, restrict firearm possession, and regulate sales and transfers. It introduces new requirements for purchasing ammunition through "ammunition purchase authorization permits" and establishes the "Ammunition Safety and Enforcement Fund" to support enforcement. The bill directly affects gun owners, licensed dealers, and the Pennsylvania State Police by changing how firearms and ammunition are handled and regulated. Key provisions include updating rules for firearm sales surcharges, firearm records checks, and dealer licensing procedures across multiple statutes. These changes aim to modify existing firearm regulations without specifying new criminal penalties or restrictions beyond the defined mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm regulations and establishes enforcement fund, directly supporting law enforcement's role in criminal justice through enhanced regulatory mechanisms and funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Policing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 22, 2025

HB 1615: An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for sentence of total confinement; in licensing of drivers, further providing for notice of acceptance of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, for the offense of driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked and for ignition interlock limited license; in miscellaneous provisions relating to serious traffic offenses, further providing for homicide by vehicle while driving under influence; and, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for the offense of driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance, for grading, for penalties, for ignition interlock, for prior offenses and for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition.

HB 1615 amends Pennsylvania laws related to sentencing, driver licensing, and traffic offenses. It requires notice to drivers when their Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for a traffic offense is accepted, and updates penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), including stricter grading for repeat offenses and enhanced penalties for homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. The bill also revises procedures for licensing when a driver's privilege is suspended or revoked. These changes directly affect drivers facing traffic-related charges, courts processing these cases, and prosecutors seeking appropriate penalties. The bill is currently under review in the Transportation committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for DUI, repeat offenses, and homicide by vehicle while driving under influence, with stricter grading and enhanced penalties, indicating a punitive stance against these offenses.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthened DUI penalties, stricter repeat offense grading, and enhanced homicide by vehicle penalties directly enhance transportation safety standards per bill's focus on traffic offense regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime Traffic Safety

failed · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2025

HB 1200: An Act providing for the regulation and treatment of cannabis, for exemption from criminal or civil penalties, for effect on cannabis convictions and expungements and for membership and duties of the Liquor Control Board; establishing Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores; providing for social and economic equity, for license, permit or other authorization, for packaging, labeling, advertising and testing, for recordkeeping and inspection, for prohibitions and penalties and for tax and tax administration; establishing the Cannabis Revenue Fund, the Communities Reimagined and Reinvestment Restricted Account and the Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment and Education Restricted Account; providing for the issuance of bonds; imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Revenue; and making repeals.

HB 1200 establishes a comprehensive framework for the regulation and treatment of cannabis in Pennsylvania. It creates state-run Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores for sales and a licensing system for private cannabis businesses, including cultivators, processors, and transporters. The bill also provides for the expungement of certain past cannabis convictions and includes provisions for social and economic equity initiatives. It establishes a cannabis excise tax, dedicating revenue to funds for community reinvestment and substance use disorder prevention, and assigns oversight duties to state agencies like the Liquor Control Board.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes cannabis excise tax funding Communities Reimagined and Substance Use Disorder accounts, directly allocating revenue to public programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpunges past cannabis convictions, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for affected individuals and aligning with equity initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Drug Policy

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failed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 1866: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons.

HB 1866 would have expanded Pennsylvania's definition of "prohibited offensive weapons" under criminal law to include specific items like modified firearms and certain knives, making it a crime to attempt to obtain or possess them. The bill aimed to clarify that inchoate offenses (such as attempted possession) involving these weapons would be punishable under existing statutes. It directly affected individuals facing charges related to preparing to obtain or carry these weapons. However, the bill was defeated during final passage on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by broadening prohibited weapons definition and making attempts punishable, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 31, 2025

SB 917: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in serious traffic offenses, further providing for the offense of homicide by vehicle while driving under influence.

SB 917 requires Pennsylvania courts to impose higher sentences for drivers convicted of causing fatal accidents while driving under the influence of multiple drugs or a combination of alcohol and one or more drugs. The bill directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create a specific sentencing enhancement when a driver's blood or breath test shows multiple controlled substances (as defined by law) or alcohol plus at least one controlled substance. This change directly affects drivers found responsible for vehicular homicides involving these substance combinations, increasing their penalties. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for DUI-related fatalities involving multiple substances, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing under criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for DUI-related fatalities, enhancing road safety through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement under Title 75.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2025

HR 253: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a task force and advisory committee on increasing access to drug and alcohol treatment for substance use disorders; and directing the task force to make recommendations to the General Assembly.

HR 253 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to create a task force and advisory committee focused on improving access to drug and alcohol treatment for people with substance use disorders. The task force, composed of four legislative members appointed by leadership, will work with an advisory committee of 26 stakeholders - including health officials, treatment providers, law enforcement, recovery advocates, and individuals in recovery - to examine barriers to treatment, review existing policies, and gather input from families and communities. The committee will analyze prevention services, recovery support, and quality care factors, then submit recommendations to the legislature within one year. This resolution does not change current law but establishes a process to inform future policy decisions on substance use disorder treatment access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes task force to improve substance use treatment access, a core criminal justice reform strategy to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirectly establishes task force to increase access to substance use disorder treatment, aligning with healthcare access and mental health support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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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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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2025

SB 739: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, further providing for the offense of manufacture, distribution or possession of master keys for motor vehicles.

SB 739 creates new criminal offenses for manufacturing, distributing, selling, transferring, using, or possessing "illicit devices" for motor vehicles. These devices include physical keys adaptable to multiple vehicles or electronic tools that can unlock, start, or emulate vehicle key fobs. The law specifically targets devices that work across multiple vehicles, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors for first offenses to felonies for repeat violations. Legitimate businesses like dealers, locksmiths, rental agencies, manufacturers, and law enforcement are exempt from these restrictions when operating in their normal course of business.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses and increases penalties for possessing vehicle-unlocking devices, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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