Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 92: 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; and imposing a penalty.

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens mandatory minimum sentences (10-year prison term) for repeat drug distributors causing death, directly increasing penalties per criminal justice indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 29, 2025

HB 1509: An Act amending the act of October 9, 2008 (P.L.1408, No.113), known as the Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act, further providing for penalties.

HB 1509 amends Pennsylvania's Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act to add a new penalty for intentionally possessing a detached catalytic converter without a commercial account and proper justification. It classifies this as a misdemeanor of the third degree, targeting individuals who remove catalytic converters from vehicles and keep them without being part of a registered scrap processor business or having a valid reason. The law directly affects people handling catalytic converters outside authorized commercial channels, such as thieves or those storing stolen parts. This change specifically addresses unauthorized possession of catalytic converters, which are frequently stolen for their valuable metals. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds misdemeanor penalty for catalytic converter possession without justification, expanding criminalization of scrap theft without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 37: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

This bill (SB 37) amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit individuals convicted of specific violent or dangerous crimes from possessing firearms. It directly affects people convicted of offenses like murder, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault, stalking, or certain types of kidnapping. The key mechanism adds over 50 existing criminal offenses - such as assault involving a firearm, robbery, or child sexual abuse - to a list where a conviction triggers an automatic firearm possession ban. The change clarifies that if someone is convicted of any of these listed crimes, they cannot legally own or carry a firearm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits firearm possession for violent offenders, enhancing public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by reducing recidivism risk.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 635: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for offenses committed near drug and alcohol recovery houses.

SB 635 amends Pennsylvania sentencing law to impose stricter penalties for certain drug-related offenses committed within 1,000 feet of a drug and alcohol recovery house. Specifically, it requires the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create enhanced penalties for offenses under the Controlled Substance Act (sections 13(a)(12), (14), or (30)) when committed near these facilities. The bill defines "drug and alcohol recovery house" using existing law (Section 2311-A of the Administrative Code). This policy change directly affects individuals convicted of targeted drug offenses near recovery centers, increasing potential sentencing severity. The bill passed final passage on June 25, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes stricter penalties for drug offenses near recovery houses, increasing mandatory sentencing rather than promoting rehabilitation or reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 279: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for use of force and deadly force policy for law enforcement agencies; imposing duties on the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission; and making an editorial change.

This bill requires all Pennsylvania municipal law enforcement agencies to create and implement written policies governing the use of force and deadly force by officers. The policies must include specific decision-making criteria for when force can be used (such as threats to safety or possession of weapons), prohibit choke holds except when deadly force is authorized, and mandate public posting online and physical availability upon request. The Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission must certify each agency's policy biennially and provide non-compliance lists to the Pennsylvania State Police. This law directly affects municipal law enforcement agencies and their officers by standardizing force guidelines and increasing transparency around use-of-force incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates use-of-force policies with chokehold ban and public posting, enhancing police accountability and transparency in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 798: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, providing for the offense of possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in municipal building.

SB 798 creates a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly possessing a firearm or dangerous weapon in a municipal building when a local ordinance bans such items. It directly affects individuals entering municipal buildings (like town halls or courthouses) and requires municipalities to post clear notices and provide free, no-cost firearm check facilities within 30 days of adopting a ban. The bill specifies penalties: third-degree misdemeanors for basic possession, first-degree for possession with criminal intent, and summary offenses for certain licensed carriers who fail to check firearms. Exceptions include law enforcement, municipal officials, veterans groups on ceremonial duty, and attorneys with authorized exhibits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for firearm possession in municipal buildings, expanding criminalization of public firearm access without reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 29, 2025

HB 1508: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentences for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

HB 1508 would change sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of possessing firearms while prohibited under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects people with certain criminal convictions or protective orders who are legally barred from owning guns. The bill specifies mandatory minimum sentences for these offenses, modifying current provisions in Pennsylvania's judicial code to establish clearer penalties for firearm possession by prohibited persons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum sentences for prohibited firearm possession increase penalties, aligning with punitive criminal justice approach that restricts defendant rights and expands criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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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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