This bill allows boroughs and cities in Pennsylvania to levy an additional annual tax of up to three mills specifically to support local police departments. The key provision requires that any increase in the tax rate for this purpose must be approved by voters through a favorable referendum held in accordance with state election laws. Local councils can only impose this new tax after obtaining such voter approval, ensuring that the community directly decides on the funding for police support. The changes apply to both boroughs under Title 8 and cities under Title 11 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
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Policing
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Local Government
This bill requires Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies to publicly notify the community 14 days before hiring an officer with a history of specific disciplinary actions, such as excessive force, theft, or sexual misconduct. Agencies must also submit detailed hiring reports explaining their rationale for employing individuals with these records to a state commission, which will maintain these reports in a public database. To ensure compliance, the legislation imposes penalties that could make non-compliant agencies ineligible for state funding related to equipment, hiring, overtime, and community programs. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual public report reviewing the database's impact on police accountability and community safety.
SB 1400 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing laws for murder to establish a mandatory life imprisonment term for second-degree murder involving unborn children or law enforcement officers. For other second-degree murder cases, the bill sets a standard minimum sentence of 35 years but allows for a reduced minimum of 10 years if the defendant proves they were not the primary actor, did not cause the death, and did not use a deadly weapon. The legislation also creates a specific pathway for courts to impose life imprisonment without parole for second-degree murder if the crime involved a child under 13, rape, a prior violent conviction, or serious injury to another victim. Additionally, the bill updates definitions for motivational boot camps and expands the role of victims in parole hearings for those sentenced to life for second-degree murder.
This bill requires Pennsylvania county agencies and juvenile probation officers to use a specific screening process when interacting with children who may be dependent or delinquent. The goal is to identify whether these children are currently victims of human trafficking or are at risk of becoming victims, particularly those involved in sexual servitude. If a child is identified through this screening, the agency must immediately connect them with specialized support services designed for sexually exploited minors. The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed into action.
This bill creates a new crime called aggravated assault of an insured, which applies specifically to the chief executive officers of health insurers. Under the law, a CEO would be guilty of this offense if they deny a medically necessary benefit to a patient, and that denial directly causes serious bodily injury or death to the patient. The legislation defines "health insurer" to include various types of medical coverage providers while excluding policies like dental, vision, and workers' compensation plans. If passed, the bill would take effect 60 days after its enactment.
This bill allows individuals in Pennsylvania who are currently serving prison sentences or awaiting execution to request a new sentencing hearing if they were survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, or human trafficking. To qualify, a person must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that their victimization was a significant factor that contributed to their criminal behavior. The law requires petitioners to submit specific documentation, such as medical records, police reports, or sworn statements from witnesses, to support their claim of survivor status and the link between the trauma and their crime. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for filing these petitions in the court where the original conviction occurred and establishes that survivor status can serve as a mitigating circumstance in capital cases.
This bill updates Pennsylvania law to make it a crime to scatter various types of waste, including paper, grass clippings, glass, and other rubbish, onto roads, public lands, or into waterways. It directly affects anyone who deposits these materials in public spaces or on private property without permission. The legislation clarifies the specific items considered illegal to scatter and establishes the legal offense for doing so. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.
This bill allows townships of the first class in Pennsylvania to vote on whether to impose a new annual tax of up to three mills to fund their police departments. Under the proposed changes, the board of commissioners can only set this tax rate if residents approve it through a public referendum. The legislation applies specifically to these townships and would only take effect 60 days after it becomes law.
This bill, known as the Legacy Law, amends Pennsylvania's homicide statutes to mandate financial restitution for parents or guardians when a child under 18 or a dependent dies due to a parent driving under the influence. If a court convicts a driver of this offense and the victim was a minor or dependent, the defendant must pay reasonable financial support to the victim's family until the child turns 18 or 19, depending on their education status. The law requires courts to consider various factors, such as the child's needs and the surviving parent's resources, when calculating these payments, which can be made directly to the family or held in a court trust. Additionally, the bill specifies that if a surviving parent has already won a civil lawsuit for damages, the criminal restitution order will be adjusted to avoid double compensation. The new provisions take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.
This bill, known as Alice's Law, strengthens protections for older adults in Pennsylvania by creating a statewide registry to track individuals who have abused or neglected elderly people. It requires facilities to immediately remove employees from duty if they are accused of abuse and to terminate staff members who appear on the new registry. The legislation also clarifies rules for reporting suspected abuse, ensuring that reports are sent to both the department and the coroner while maintaining confidentiality for the identity of the person who made the report. Additionally, the bill expands immunity for agencies and workers acting in good faith and increases administrative fines for facility owners or administrators who fail to comply with these new reporting and safety requirements.
