Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 24, 2026

HB 2744: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for modification or revocation of order of probation.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2744 amends state sentencing laws to limit the length of jail time for individuals who violate probation rules without committing a new crime. The bill requires courts to consider a defendant's employment status before imposing total confinement for these technical violations. It establishes specific caps on jail sentences, limiting them to 14 days for a first violation and 30 days for a second violation. For third or subsequent technical violations, the law allows judges to use any sentencing alternatives that were available when the person was originally sentenced.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits jail time for probation violations and mandates consideration of employment, promoting rehabilitation over punitive incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 2603: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and providing for wearable recording devices; and imposing penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill regulates wearable recording devices, such as smartwatches and glasses, by requiring them to have a visible light that indicates when they are recording audio or video. It mandates that retailers provide customers with clear written notices about how these devices must be operated and prohibits the sale or use of devices that lack this visual indicator or have it disabled. Under the new rules, individuals must obtain explicit consent from anyone they record in private areas, and they cannot record others without their knowledge if the device's visual indicator is missing or turned off. Manufacturers face escalating financial penalties for selling non-compliant devices, while retailers who fail to provide proper notices may incur fines after repeated violations. Law enforcement officers and correctional facility personnel are exempt from these requirements when conducting investigations or ensuring security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability and protects civil rights by regulating wearable recording devices and requiring consent, reducing covert surveillance risks.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates visual indicators on recording devices and requires explicit consent, directly protecting consumer privacy and data rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2381: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked; and, in penalties and disposition of fines, further providing for subsequent convictions of certain offenses.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to increase penalties for driving after a license has been suspended or revoked. It establishes a $200 fine for a first offense, raises fines to between $500 and $2,500 for second or third violations, and mandates fines up to $2,500 plus 30 to 12 months in jail for fourth or subsequent offenses. Additionally, the legislation adjusts sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders of other traffic violations by increasing potential fines and jail time. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for driving with a suspended license, strengthening deterrence and public safety within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by increasing penalties for driving with suspended licenses, directly addressing public safety concerns.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 2281: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juries and jurors, further providing for qualifications of jurors.

This bill proposes to change how Pennsylvania determines who is eligible to serve on juries by removing a specific disqualification for people currently serving prison sentences. Under the current law, individuals convicted of crimes punishable by more than one year in prison are barred from jury service, but this bill would allow them to serve while they are incarcerated. The change would apply to all citizens who meet the basic age and residency requirements for voting, regardless of their criminal conviction status. The legislation would become effective 60 days after being signed into law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands jury eligibility to incarcerated individuals, promoting criminal justice reform and reducing barriers to civic participation for people with criminal records.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2276: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general administration relating to correctional institutions, providing for boards of prison inspectors in State correctional institutions.

This bill establishes new Boards of Prison Inspectors at each Pennsylvania State correctional institution to oversee facility conditions and operations. The boards will consist of 18 members including medical professionals, educators, law enforcement officers, county officials, and community representatives, with at least one member being a former inmate or family member of an inmate. Each board will conduct unannounced inspections at least twice annually, review inmate complaints and officer misconduct records, and submit public reports on their findings. Board members serve three-year terms without pay but receive expense reimbursement, and they are prohibited from being current employees of the correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes oversight boards to improve prison conditions and operations, enhancing accountability and protecting inmate rights within the correctional system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill includes medical professionals on prison inspector boards to oversee facility conditions, which supports healthcare oversight in correctional settings.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2271: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of rape.

This Pennsylvania bill proposes changes to state rape sentencing laws by introducing mandatory hormonal or surgical treatment options for convicted offenders. The legislation would allow courts to order convicted rapists to undergo medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment or voluntarily elect surgical castration as part of their sentence. These measures apply to individuals convicted under specific subsections of the state's rape statute, with maximum sentences ranging from 40 years to life imprisonment depending on the offense severity. The Department of Corrections would administer any ordered treatment starting within one week before the offender's release from incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill introduces mandatory treatment options for convicted rapists, aiming to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety through rehabilitation measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 908: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for termination of long-term parole supervision.

This bill allows Pennsylvania courts to end long-term parole supervision for eligible individuals who have been under supervision for at least five consecutive years and are at least 40 years old. The process requires a formal petition filed by either the Department of Corrections or the parolee, which must be reviewed by the sentencing court. Courts must evaluate multiple factors including community safety risks, the individual's conduct history, financial hardship, and efficient use of department resources before deciding whether to terminate supervision. The law applies to all parole cases regardless of when the sentence was originally imposed and ensures victims, prosecutors, and relevant parties receive notice and an opportunity to be heard during the review process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows termination of long-term parole supervision for eligible individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing unnecessary supervision costs, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HB 2190: An Act amending the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act, in collective bargaining impasse, further providing for arbitration; and, in strikes, further providing for prohibited strikes.

HB 2190 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to change how collective bargaining impasses are resolved for specific public safety and court staff. It requires binding arbitration for disputes involving prison guards, mental hospital staff, peace officers, and court employees when mediation fails - meaning the arbitrator's decision becomes final and enforceable. However, if an arbitration decision would require new legislation (e.g., changing pay rates or benefits), that part would only be advisory, not binding. The bill directly affects these public employee groups whose work is critical to security and court operations. This change streamlines dispute resolution while maintaining legislative oversight for policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires binding arbitration for prison guards and court staff disputes, ensuring stable workforce in corrections and courts - key components of criminal justice system operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires binding arbitration for public safety/court staff collective bargaining impasses, strengthening resolution process without strikes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 1184: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Prison Industry Enhancement Authority; providing for employment of incarcerated individuals by private industry and for subcontracts with correctional agencies; establishing guidelines for incarcerated individual compensation; and providing for location of private sector prison industry.

SB 1184 establishes Pennsylvania's Prison Industry Enhancement Authority to create structured employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals in private-sector work programs within correctional facilities. The bill requires private companies to partner with prisons under specific guidelines, ensuring incarcerated individuals earn wages that can cover room/board, compensate victims, and support dependents, while prohibiting displacement of civilian jobs. It mandates that compensation rates be fair, prohibits private industry from creating competitive advantages for businesses, and ensures programs focus on developing job skills to aid post-release employment. The law applies directly to Pennsylvania correctional facilities, private employers participating in these programs, and incarcerated individuals working in them. It does not permit privatization of prison operations or affect civilian labor markets.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates prison industry jobs with fair wages for rehabilitation, reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators; prohibits job displacement.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates fair compensation rates for incarcerated workers covering basic needs, aligning with labor protections and wage standards for a specific workforce.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 2154: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Prison Industry Enhancement Authority; providing for employment of incarcerated individuals by private industry and for subcontracts with correctional agencies; establishing guidelines for incarcerated individual compensation; and providing for location of private sector prison industry.

HB 2154 establishes Pennsylvania's Prison Industry Enhancement Authority to create job opportunities for incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities through partnerships with private industry. The bill requires private companies to employ incarcerated people under specific guidelines, including setting fair wages (with deductions allowed for room/board, victim compensation, and family support), while explicitly prohibiting displacement of civilian jobs or privatization of prisons. It mandates that private sector prison industry programs must operate within the state's "open market" and cannot create competitive advantages for participating businesses. The law aims to develop work skills for post-release employment and strengthen family ties through structured compensation mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes prison job programs with fair wages to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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