Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SB 652: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general principals of justification, further providing for definitions.

SB 652 proposes to amend Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses law by changing the definition of "dwelling" within the general principles of justification. The bill expands the current definition, which includes a building, structure, or attached porch/deck/patio, to also encompass "the parcel of land to the property lines and any building or structure erected thereon." This change would broaden the legal scope of what constitutes a "dwelling" for individuals in self-defense or similar justification cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands self-defense protections by broadening 'dwelling' definition, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 634: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, providing for the offense of hate crimes against law enforcement officers and first responders.

SB 634 creates a new hate crime offense in Pennsylvania law targeting attacks against law enforcement officers and first responders (firefighters and emergency medical personnel). It defines this as intentionally committing crimes like assault, property damage, or trespassing motivated by hatred toward someone's job in these roles. If the underlying crime is a misdemeanor, the hate crime charge raises it to a higher class (e.g., misdemeanor of the second degree), and courts must consider a sentencing enhancement. This bill directly affects individuals who commit such acts, increasing penalties for targeting public safety workers due to their employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates hate crime penalties for attacks on law enforcement, raising sentences for such offenses under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 471: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to criminal proceedings, providing for citizenship status of criminal defendants.

SB 471 requires Pennsylvania prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they learn during a criminal case that a defendant is not a U.S. citizen or is present in violation of immigration law (8 U.S.C. Ch. 12). This applies directly to criminal defendants whose citizenship status or immigration status is confirmed during proceedings. The key mechanism mandates that prosecutors must provide this notification "at any point during the course of a criminal proceeding" upon obtaining such information. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage, making it a procedural change for law enforcement coordination in criminal cases involving immigration status.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates prosecutors to notify ICE about non-citizen defendants, expanding criminalization of immigration status and weakening defendant protections in criminal proceedings.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates prosecutors to notify ICE about non-citizen defendants, facilitating federal immigration enforcement per 8 U.S.C. Ch. 12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 970: An Act providing for guidelines and procedures governing certain investigations and interrogations of correctional and forensic employees; authorizing certain civil suits by correctional officers; and providing for impact of collective bargaining agreements and for summary suspensions.

HB 970 establishes clear procedures for investigating Pennsylvania correctional and forensic employees (those responsible for inmate or patient care). It requires recorded interrogations, informs employees of their rights (including the right to counsel and protection from polygraph coercion), and prohibits adverse actions for exercising these rights. The bill ensures suspensions during investigations are with pay and benefits unless criminal charges trigger specific rules, and clarifies that union contracts cannot reduce these protections. It directly affects correctional officers and forensic staff employed by the state's Department of Corrections or Department of Human Services. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects correctional employees' rights during investigations (right to counsel, no adverse action), aligning with civil rights protections in corrections system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires recorded interrogations, right to counsel, prohibits adverse actions for exercising rights, and ensures pay during suspensions. Clarifies collective bargaining agreements remain valid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Collective Bargaining

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 683: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in burglary and other criminal intrusion, providing for offenses relating to critical infrastructure facilities; and imposing penalties.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses code to establish new criminal offenses related to critical infrastructure facilities. It creates penalties for individuals who trespass without permission on these properties, with more severe consequences for those who intend to damage or disrupt operations. The legislation also makes willful damage or tampering with equipment at these facilities a felony. Additionally, it allows owners of critical infrastructure facilities to pursue civil lawsuits against individuals arrested or convicted of these offenses for damages incurred. "Critical infrastructure facilities" are broadly defined to include essential services such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and natural gas pipelines, provided they are secured or clearly marked.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offenses and harsher penalties for critical infrastructure trespassing/damage, expanding criminalization per bill's explicit penalties and felony provisions.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 691: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program; in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, providing for court assessments for substance use disorder treatment; in other criminal provisions, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders.

SB 691 establishes the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This program provides grants to local agencies, known as single county authorities, to offer comprehensive nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment to offenders with substance use disorders. Eligible providers will assess offenders receiving various court-imposed sentences for drug-related offenses and offer individualized treatment plans, including FDA-approved nonnarcotic medication and counseling. The bill also allows courts to order substance use disorder assessments for these offenders and updates provisions related to their supervision by probation and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment program for offenders with substance use disorders, aiming to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation rather than punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders via grants to local agencies, expanding healthcare access for offenders under court supervision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 605: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, providing for earned compliance credit.

HB 605 creates a program where individuals on probation, parole, or post-release supervision in Pennsylvania can earn time off their supervision period by meeting specific requirements. For each month of compliance - including fulfilling their case plan, avoiding new arrests, and making scheduled payments for restitution or fines - they earn 15 days toward reducing their supervision term. Agencies must award these "earned compliance credits," place compliant individuals in nonactive status, and petition courts to shorten supervision when all financial obligations are met. Individuals facing financial hardship that prevents payments cannot be barred from earning credits if they meet other requirements. The bill requires agencies to publish forfeiture rules online for violations, limiting forfeited credits to those already earned.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes compliance to reduce supervision time, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and enhancing rehabilitation programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1352: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, further providing for the offense of unlawful contact with minor.

HB 1352 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to expand the offense of "unlawful contact with a minor." It directly affects individuals who intentionally contact minors (or law enforcement posing as minors) for specific prohibited activities, including sexual offenses, human trafficking involving minors, incest, or sexual exploitation. The bill adds new categories to the existing law, such as human trafficking with sexual servitude involving minors, endangering a child's welfare through sexual contact, and expanded corruption of minors offenses. These changes clarify that contact for these activities - whether initiated by the adult or the minor - is a criminal offense within Pennsylvania. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding new offenses against minors (human trafficking, sexual exploitation), increasing punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 5, 2025

HB 1397: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to actions, proceedings and other matters generally, providing for use of media devices.

House Bill 1397 amends Pennsylvania law to allow individuals to use media devices to record, transmit, or broadcast images, video, or audio of judicial proceedings without needing court approval. This change directly affects attendees of court proceedings and the judiciary by altering rules for public access and recording. However, the bill specifies several exceptions where this permission does not apply, including proceedings related to sexual abuse, domestic violence, protection from abuse, sexual violence or intimidation, and testimony from child witnesses or confidential informants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows public recording of court proceedings without court approval, enhancing transparency and public access to judicial processes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allows media device use for recording court proceedings without court approval, facilitating technology adoption and supporting digital rights in public access to judicial proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 744: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to inmate confinement, providing for overwatch towers.

SB 744 establishes a new requirement for correctional institutions in Pennsylvania. It mandates that overwatch towers at these facilities must be staffed by corrections officers during any outdoor movement of inmates. This rule applies unless an overwatch tower does not allow for supervision of inmates during such movements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates staffing of overwatch towers during inmate outdoor movements, enhancing correctional facility oversight and safety protocols within Pennsylvania's prison system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track