Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 1550: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, providing for parole for reasons of age and for medical parole under certain circumstances.

HB 1550 would allow Pennsylvania inmates to receive parole based on advanced age or serious medical conditions. It would amend state law to create two new pathways for parole eligibility under specific circumstances, changing the current criteria used by the Board of Probation and Parole. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals who meet these age or medical criteria, rather than the general public. The key mechanism is updating statutory language to expand the board's authority to grant parole in these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands parole eligibility for elderly/medically vulnerable inmates, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of humane sentencing and reduced prison populations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 911: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for miscellaneous provisions and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; establishing the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

SB 911 establishes a new "Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program" within Pennsylvania's law enforcement framework. It requires the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to implement this program, focusing on improving the clearance rates of violent crimes through updated investigative techniques. The bill directly affects state agencies, particularly the Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which must develop and manage the program's implementation. Key provisions mandate the Commission to adopt specific methods for using technology in violent crime investigations, aiming to enhance investigative efficiency and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes program to improve violent crime clearance rates via tech-enhanced investigations, strengthening investigative capabilities within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 2001: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for incarcerated students; and abrogating a regulation.

HB 2001 amends Pennsylvania's education laws to establish educational opportunities for students incarcerated in state facilities. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania prisons by requiring educational programming access. The bill removes an existing regulation (abrogating it) to enable this change, though specific program details aren't outlined in the title. This focuses on policy changes to integrate incarcerated students into the state's education framework.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides educational access for incarcerated students in state facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for incarcerated students by requiring programming in state facilities, removing a barrier to access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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 · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 648: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death.

HB 648 creates a new first-degree felony offense for intentionally delivering a controlled substance (in violation of Pennsylvania's drug laws) that results in another person's death. The bill explicitly removes defenses that the victim voluntarily used the drug or used it with other substances, such as alcohol or additional drugs. This law directly affects drug sellers, distributors, or those who illegally provide controlled substances leading to a fatal overdose. It changes the legal standard by making such deaths prosecutable without the previous defenses that could have been raised in court.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates harsher felony penalties for drug sellers causing death, removing defenses, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy 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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