Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 28, 2025

SB 360: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.

SB 360 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to collect detailed data on solitary confinement use in state prisons, including duration, reasons for placement, and impacts on vulnerable inmates such as youth, elderly individuals, pregnant people, and LGBTQ+ inmates. The bill mandates annual public reports to the Governor and legislature containing aggregated statistics (like recidivism rates and self-harm incidents) without personally identifiable information. These reports and prison policies governing solitary confinement must be posted on the department's public website. The bill directly affects all state prison inmates, with specific tracking requirements for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data collection on solitary confinement impacts for vulnerable groups and mandates public reporting to enhance oversight, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like transparency and accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 874: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in election districts and polling places, providing for residence of incarcerated individuals.

SB 874 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change how incarcerated individuals are counted for redistricting. It requires that people in state or federal prisons (or juvenile facilities) be counted at their last known address in Pennsylvania - not at the facility location - when creating state legislative, congressional, and local district maps based on the federal census. The bill mandates that correctional and juvenile facilities collect and share data (including last known address, demographic details, and facility location) with redistricting bodies by June 1 each year ending in "1." This directly affects how Pennsylvania redraws voting districts, ensuring prison populations are not artificially inflated in the communities where facilities are located.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends redistricting to count incarcerated at last address, reducing prison gerrymandering and protecting voting rights - key criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1477: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

HB 1477 increases penalties for repeat stalking offenses in Pennsylvania. It upgrades second or subsequent stalking convictions (or first offenses with prior violent crimes against the same victim, like assault or rape) to a second-degree felony, requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence and a maximum of 10 years. The bill mandates that courts must consider prior convictions for specific violent crimes when sentencing, with strict procedures for verifying those records. This directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who have prior violent offenses against the same person, altering sentencing outcomes without changing the definition of stalking itself.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for repeat stalking (5-10 years), upgrades penalties to second-degree felony, and restricts judicial discretion by mandating prior violent crime consideration. Expands criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 12, 2025

HB 1441: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence of persons under the age of 18 for murder, murder of an unborn child and murder of a law enforcement officer; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.

HB 1441 proposes significant changes to sentencing and parole eligibility for certain serious offenses in Pennsylvania, applying these changes retroactively. The bill modifies sentences for individuals under 18 convicted of first-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, or murder of a law enforcement officer, replacing "life without parole" with minimum terms of 25 or 35 years to life, making them eligible for parole. It also removes "without parole" from life sentences for repeat violent offenders, allowing them parole consideration. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole would gain the power to parole individuals serving life sentences, though it would be prohibited from granting parole to offenders who murdered a law enforcement officer. Additionally, for those serving life sentences, parole consideration would not begin until at least five years of incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces life without parole for juveniles and repeat violent offenders with parole-eligible sentences, advancing criminal justice reform by reducing harsh sentencing and promoting rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 21, 2025

HB 1975: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of assault of law enforcement officer.

HB 1975 would amend Pennsylvania law to expand assault protections for emergency responders (including police, EMTs, and firefighters) beyond just law enforcement officers. The bill makes discharging a firearm at an emergency responder while they are on duty a first-degree felony (up to 40 years in prison), and intentionally exposing them to bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) a third-degree felony, with a second-degree felony penalty if the fluids come from someone with a reportable disease. It directly affects all emergency responders performing their duties and would change sentencing for these specific assault offenses. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Committee as of its October 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands felony penalties for assaulting emergency responders, strengthening protections for law enforcement within criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Policing

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 728: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Identification Upon Reentry Program.

HB 728 establishes Pennsylvania's Identification Upon Reentry Program, requiring prisons to provide newly released inmates with essential identification documents (like state ID cards) before their release. This directly affects individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community, who often face barriers to accessing services without valid ID. The key provision mandates that correctional facilities coordinate with state agencies to issue these documents during the reentry process, replacing the current inconsistent practice. This policy change aims to streamline access to housing, employment, and government services for returning citizens.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides ID for released inmates to reduce reentry barriers, aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism and improve community reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 21, 2025

SB 475: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts; and, in sentencing, further providing for modification or revocation of order of probation.

SB 475 creates a framework for Pennsylvania courts to establish specialized "problem-solving" treatment courts (including veterans, drug, mental health, and DUI courts) and modifies probation rules. It allows courts to create "veterans tracks" within existing treatment programs and requires judges to consider a defendant's employment status when sentencing for technical probation violations. The bill specifically permits up to 30 days of incarceration to allow defendants to enter treatment courts instead of imposing full sentences for technical probation violations. This directly affects Pennsylvania courts, probation officers, and individuals on probation who commit minor violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized treatment courts (veterans, drug, mental health) to address root causes, reduces punitive probation violations by considering employment, and aligns with rehabilitation-focused reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mental health courts as specialized treatment programs, redirecting defendants to healthcare-focused interventions instead of incarceration, directly supporting mental health services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates veterans treatment courts within problem-solving programs, enabling access to services instead of incarceration, directly supporting veteran needs through judicial system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing