Criminal Justice

passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 3, 2025

HB 102: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of harassment.

HB 102 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to clarify and update the legal definition of harassment within the assault offense category under Title 18. It directly affects individuals accused of harassment by specifying how such conduct qualifies as a criminal assault. The bill's key provision changes how harassment is legally categorized and prosecuted under assault laws, providing clearer standards for law enforcement and courts. This amendment is currently pending final action after passing third consideration in the legislature. (Note: Specific policy details beyond the scope of the title are not provided in the context.)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies harassment definition under assault laws to prevent overcriminalization, aligning with civil rights protection and fairer enforcement standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 21, 2025

SB 1071: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abuse of office, providing for the offense of criminal concealment by law enforcement officer; and, in municipal police education and training, providing for visible badge requirement.

SB 1071 creates a new criminal offense for Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who conceal misconduct related to their duties. It amends statutes to define "criminal concealment" as intentionally hiding evidence or obstructing investigations into officer misconduct. The bill also requires municipal police officers to wear clearly visible badges during all training sessions. These changes directly affect police officers in Pennsylvania's municipal departments and aim to increase transparency in law enforcement conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for law enforcement concealment of misconduct and mandates visible badges, directly enhancing police accountability and transparency in criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 6, 2025

HB 2008: An Act providing for School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program and for awarding grants; establishing the Youth Court Program Account; and making a transfer.

HB 2008 would create a pilot program allowing schools to establish youth courts to handle minor disciplinary issues involving students, directly affecting participating schools and youth who might otherwise face traditional disciplinary actions. The bill provides grants to schools for implementing these courts, establishes a dedicated Youth Court Program Account to manage funding, and transfers existing state funds into this account to support the initiative. This program aims to offer restorative alternatives to suspensions or referrals to juvenile justice systems for low-level offenses. The bill is currently in the Judiciary committee for review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants and establishes dedicated Youth Court Program Account, increasing government spending on public service (youth courts in schools).95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates restorative youth court program for minor school issues, diverting youth from formal criminal justice system, aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism and enhancing rehabilitation.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for school-based youth courts, directly funding restorative discipline programs in K-12 schools to replace traditional disciplinary actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1908: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for arrest for violation of order and for contempt for violation of order or agreement.

HB 1908 amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to strengthen enforcement of protection orders in abuse cases. The bill requires law enforcement to make an arrest when someone violates a protection order, rather than allowing discretion. It also specifies that violating a protection order or a related agreement (like a custody agreement) can be treated as contempt of court. This directly affects victims of domestic abuse, law enforcement officers, and individuals subject to protection orders by changing how violations are handled under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates arrests for protection order violations, strengthening enforcement and victim safety within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 22, 2025

HB 150: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, repealing provisions relating to transfer of inmates in need of medical treatment and providing for modification of an imposed term of imprisonment for reasons of illness.

HB 150 proposes changes to Pennsylvania's sentencing laws by removing outdated rules about transferring inmates requiring medical care and creating a new process for judges to modify prison terms when an individual's illness prevents them from serving their full sentence. The bill directly affects people incarcerated in Pennsylvania who develop serious medical conditions during their sentence. Key provisions include ending the current transfer system for medical cases and establishing a clear procedure for courts to adjust sentences based on documented health issues. This would allow judges to shorten sentences for health-related reasons without requiring a separate legal process. The bill is currently under review in the Appropriations committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModifies sentencing for medical conditions, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals to protect inmate rights and improve humane treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1492: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, providing for use of criminal records to screen tenants; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; and imposing penalties.

HB 1492 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate how landlords use criminal records when screening potential tenants. It would limit the types of criminal records landlords can consider and require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to establish guidelines for fair screening practices. The bill also imposes penalties for landlords who violate the new rules and mandates the Commission to monitor compliance with the updated screening standards. This directly affects landlords conducting tenant screenings and tenants whose criminal records might impact their housing applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits criminal record use in tenant screening, promotes fair housing practices and civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by reducing barriers for individuals with past convictions.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits landlord use of criminal records in tenant screening, preventing discrimination and strengthening tenant protections under fair housing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 58: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass a constitutional amendment that provides that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.

HR 58 is a resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment banning slavery and involuntary servitude as punishments for criminal offenses. It directly targets a legal exception in the 13th Amendment that currently permits such practices within the criminal justice system. The resolution itself has no legal effect but seeks to initiate the constitutional amendment process to address this longstanding exception.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTargets 13th Amendment exception permitting slavery/servitude in criminal sentencing, advancing civil rights reform within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans involuntary servitude in criminal justice, directly protecting workers from forced labor under 13th Amendment exception95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1476: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection of victims of sexual violence or intimidation, further providing for definitions.

HB 1476 amends Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to clarify and strengthen definitions related to victims of sexual violence or intimidation. The bill specifically updates legal terminology within Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to better protect these individuals during court proceedings. This change directly affects victims seeking legal recourse and the judicial system handling such cases by ensuring consistent application of protections. The bill focuses on defining key terms to improve how courts address these sensitive matters, without creating new penalties or programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies victim definitions in court proceedings to strengthen protections, directly advancing victim rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 5, 2025

SB 1086: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Identification Upon Reentry Program.

SB 1086 would amend Pennsylvania’s prison and parole laws to establish the Identification Upon Reentry Program. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to work with state agencies to provide identification documents, such as a state ID or driver's license, to individuals released from state prisons. This program would directly affect people leaving prison, who often face barriers to housing, employment, and services without proper identification. The key mechanism creates a formal process to streamline obtaining identification at the time of release, reducing a common reentry obstacle.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID for prison reentry, reducing barriers to housing/employment and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2055: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for basic tactical operations course.

HB 2055 requires Pennsylvania police officers to complete a mandatory basic tactical operations course as part of their certification training. The course covers practical skills like safe building entry, team communication during operations, threat identification under stress, and scenario-based training focused on officer safety and lawful force use. This new requirement applies specifically to police officers seeking certification under Pennsylvania's municipal police training rules. Completion of this course becomes a prerequisite for certification, directly affecting all new and existing officers needing to maintain their certification status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates tactical training for officers on lawful force use and officer safety, promoting accountability in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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