Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HB 1902: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.

HB 1902 updates Pennsylvania law to specifically address hate-based harassment by adding "ethnic intimidation" as a distinct criminal offense under assault laws. It expands civil rights protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying violations related to bias against race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill requires municipal employees to complete annual training on recognizing and responding to hate-based intimidation. These changes directly affect law enforcement, municipal staff, and individuals experiencing bias-motivated violence or discrimination in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 'ethnic intimidation' as distinct offense, expands civil rights protections for hate crime victims, and mandates hate-based intimidation training for law enforcement/municipal staff.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1055: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of intimidation of health care workers.

HB 1055 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for threatening healthcare workers, specifically targeting threats intended to interfere with their duties. It defines the crime as knowingly making oral/written threats against healthcare practitioners, technicians, or hospital security officers, with penalties escalating from a minor violation for a first offense to a third-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. The law requires healthcare facilities to post clear notices about this offense at all public entrances, and a person cannot be convicted if the notice wasn’t displayed (unless they knew about the offense). This bill directly affects anyone making threats against covered healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, aiming to protect them from intimidation during work.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offense for threatening healthcare workers with escalating penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare workers from intimidation, ensuring uninterrupted services and safety, directly aligns with safeguarding medical professionals under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Hospitals

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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

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 May 13, 2025

HB 1443: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons; in assault, further providing for discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure; in theft and related offenses, further providing for definitions; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for prohibiting of paramilitary training; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions, for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for firearms not to be carried without a license and for prohibited conduct during emergency, providing for 3-D printed firearms and further providing for sale or transfer of firearms, for firearm sales surcharge, for registration of firearms and for licensing of dealers.

HB 1443 amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code to explicitly include "3-D printed firearms" in key definitions across multiple sections. It defines "3-D printed firearm" as a digital file intended to create a gun via 3-D printer, and clarifies that "firearm" encompasses any weapon - whether traditional or 3-D printed - that expels projectiles using explosives. The bill updates prohibitions on possessing, selling, or transferring firearms (including 3-D printed versions) and requires licensing for dealers and registration of firearms. This affects all Pennsylvanians who manufacture, sell, or possess firearms, including those using 3-D printing technology.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by explicitly prohibiting 3-D printed firearms under existing firearm prohibitions, increasing regulatory scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 407: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

HB 407 creates a new criminal offense for unauthorized location tracking in Pennsylvania, making it illegal to install or use technology (such as apps or devices) to monitor someone's location without their consent. Exceptions include law enforcement during investigations, parents tracking minor children, guardians monitoring incapacitated persons, and other specific scenarios like fleet vehicle tracking with proper consent. The bill does not change existing stalking laws but adds this new provision to address technology-enabled harassment. It directly affects individuals who might use location-tracking tools to harass others, while clarifying permitted uses for safety and legal purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds new offense for unauthorized location tracking, protecting privacy rights and enhancing stalking laws under criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized location tracking via technology, strengthening data privacy protections under criminal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HB 1416: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to operation of vehicles, providing for the offense of interference with operation or movement of a public transit vehicle.

HB 1416 would create a new criminal offense for interfering with the operation or movement of public transit vehicles, such as buses or trains. It directly affects individuals who physically block doors, assault drivers or passengers, or otherwise disrupt transit service. The bill establishes specific penalties for these actions under Pennsylvania's vehicle laws, treating interference as a criminal violation. This change aims to clarify legal consequences for behaviors that endanger transit operations and passenger safety. The bill is currently stalled, having been "laid on the table" in September 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for transit interference, strengthening law enforcement's ability to address safety threats under vehicle laws.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates criminal penalties for disrupting public transit operations, directly enhancing safety and operational integrity of transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 13, 2025

SB 919: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault.

SB 919 expands Pennsylvania's aggravated assault law to specifically protect United States postal workers and delivery drivers. The bill adds "a United States postal worker or delivery driver" to the list of protected individuals under Section 2702(c), making attacks against them a more serious offense. It also defines "delivery driver" as someone employed for package deliveries using standard-licensed vehicles, regardless of their employer. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands aggravated assault law to protect postal workers/delivery drivers, strengthening legal protections for essential workers and enhancing public safety under criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects postal and delivery workers from assault, enhancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 741: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of unauthorized use of electronic tracking device.

SB 741 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for the unauthorized use of electronic tracking devices. It makes it illegal to install or place an electronic tracking device on another person or their property without their consent to track their location or movement. The bill includes exceptions for situations like parents tracking their minor children, legal guardians tracking incapacitated persons, and law enforcement in official duties or with court orders. Businesses are also exempt when tracking fleet vehicles or if they have obtained informed consent, and penalties range from a second-degree to a first-degree misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by prohibiting unauthorized tracking, aligning with privacy protections in criminal justice. Exceptions for law enforcement with court orders strengthen oversight, not weaken it.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes unauthorized tracking devices without consent, directly protecting data privacy and location data from misuse per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 3, 2025

SB 1027: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.

SB 1027 amends Pennsylvania laws to strengthen protections against hate-based crimes and intimidation. It specifically expands the criminal offense of "ethnic intimidation" under Title 18, clarifies civil rights violations related to hate-based acts under Title 42, and defines key terms for municipal employees under Title 53. The bill requires municipal officers to complete annual training on recognizing and addressing hate-based intimidation. This directly affects victims of hate crimes, law enforcement, and local government employees who interact with the public. The changes aim to improve legal responses to bias-motivated offenses without altering existing penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens hate crime protections, expands ethnic intimidation offenses, and mandates hate-based intimidation training for officers, advancing civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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