SB 274 creates two key programs in Pennsylvania law. First, it requires courts to offer non-prison sentencing options for individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses who are primary caretakers of dependent children (including pregnant women or new mothers), mandating community-based rehabilitation programs like parenting classes, job training, or mental health services instead of incarceration. Second, it establishes a Maternity Medical Services Program within correctional facilities, providing pregnancy and postpartum care for eligible incarcerated women at a reduced fee (with no denial of care due to inability to pay). The bill directly affects incarcerated parents, particularly mothers, by prioritizing family unity and maternal health. It amends sentencing procedures and medical services statutes to implement these changes.
This bill requires Pennsylvania state and county correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to all inmates. It mandates that facilities maintain at least the same level of access as on January 1, 2024, and ensure at least one operable phone device for every ten inmates in housing units or recreational areas. The bill prohibits charging inmates for communications, using services to replace in-person visits, or collecting fees from callers. It also appropriates $16.5 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (70% to the state, 30% to counties based on inmate population) to cover these costs.
SB 113 establishes new rules for investigating misconduct by Pennsylvania correctional and forensic employees (e.g., prison staff, forensic facility workers). It requires recorded interrogations, informs employees of their right to legal counsel, prohibits using polygraph tests or threatening job loss to compel statements, and mandates paid suspensions during investigations unless criminal charges are filed. The bill ensures union contracts cannot weaken these protections and prohibits retaliation against employees exercising these rights. It also clarifies that investigations must follow specific procedures to protect employee rights during disciplinary processes.
HB 57 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences and fines for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives in Pennsylvania. It directly affects people convicted under specific sections of the Controlled Substance Act involving fentanyl, with penalties based on the weight of the substance: 2 years (less than 1g) to 96 months (100g+), plus fines ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Repeat offenders face enhanced sentences (e.g., 36 months instead of 24 months for less than 1g). The bill requires courts to apply these mandatory penalties at sentencing, with the Commonwealth able to appeal if courts fail to impose them.
HB 496 requires Pennsylvania prison inmates to complete a voter registration form or a written declination form before release. This applies to all inmates in state correctional facilities who are eligible to vote. The bill mandates that the Department of Corrections, in collaboration with the Department of State, administers the process through specific forms and rules. It does not automatically register inmates but provides a structured method for them to register or decline registration prior to discharge. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
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.
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.
HB 758 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to reduce penalties for a specific drug-related violation. It changes the maximum fine from $500 to $25, eliminating the possibility of jail time for this offense. The bill directly affects individuals who violate clause (31) of the existing law, which relates to certain drug-related activities under the state's controlled substances regulations. This is a concrete policy change to lower the financial penalty for a minor violation, without altering the prohibited act itself.
SB 788 prohibits solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons and jails by banning the practice of confining inmates alone for 20+ hours daily with severely restricted activity. It directly affects all inmates in state and county correctional facilities, including juvenile facilities and those held under federal contracts. The bill requires prisons to use alternatives like limiting visits, restricting commissary privileges, or assigning additional unpaid work - each capped at 14 days - instead of solitary confinement. These alternatives must be used for disciplinary purposes, with no more than 14 days of any single penalty. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment.
SB 92 amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen penalties for individuals whose drug distribution causes a death. It establishes a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a fine (equal to the value of illegal proceeds) for repeat drug distributors convicted under this law who had two prior drug-related convictions and received significant payment for distributing drugs. The bill does not apply if the victim was under 13 years old or if the distributor and victim used drugs together. This law directly affects drug distributors convicted of causing a death through their illegal activity, with stricter penalties for those with prior offenses.
