Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 2589: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to operation of vehicles, further providing for homicide by vehicle while driving under influence.

This bill, known as the Legacy Law, amends Pennsylvania's homicide statutes to mandate financial restitution for parents or guardians when a child under 18 or a dependent dies due to a parent driving under the influence. If a court convicts a driver of this offense and the victim was a minor or dependent, the defendant must pay reasonable financial support to the victim's family until the child turns 18 or 19, depending on their education status. The law requires courts to consider various factors, such as the child's needs and the surviving parent's resources, when calculating these payments, which can be made directly to the family or held in a court trust. Additionally, the bill specifies that if a surviving parent has already won a civil lawsuit for damages, the criminal restitution order will be adjusted to avoid double compensation. The new provisions take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by mandating financial restitution for families of victims killed by drunk drivers, enhancing accountability and victim support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 1, 2026

SR 294: A Resolution recognizing the month of May 2026 as "National Treatment Court Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates May 2026 as "National Treatment Court Month" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about specialized courts that address substance use and mental health issues. The measure highlights the work of judges, prosecutors, treatment providers, and other professionals who operate these courts to help individuals recover rather than face traditional punishment. By acknowledging these programs, the resolution aims to educate the public and encourage continued support for initiatives that focus on rehabilitation and community safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and reduces reliance on traditional punishment through specialized courts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes specialized courts for substance use and mental health, aiming to improve access to treatment and support recovery over punishment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2026

HB 2510: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, further providing for release or delivery to court and for place of detention.

This bill updates Pennsylvania laws to restrict how juvenile suspects are held in police lockups and defines where they can be detained before a court hearing. It generally prohibits keeping children in adult police facilities, allowing it only for short periods under six hours for tasks like identification or processing, provided the child is separated from adults and under constant supervision. For longer-term detention, the law requires judges to confirm that no less restrictive option exists and mandates that children be placed in approved juvenile facilities rather than adult prisons. Additionally, the bill clarifies that children facing serious charges are entitled to an immediate bail hearing if they are held before trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts juvenile detention in adult facilities and prioritizes less restrictive options, aligning with criminal justice reform and protection of civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 480: A Resolution designating July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of the state's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. The bill directly affects CASA volunteers and staff who provide free advocacy for abused and neglected children within the court system. By officially recognizing the date of the program's incorporation, the measure aims to highlight the contributions of these trained volunteers who help ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable youth. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill honors CASA volunteers who advocate for abused children in the court system, strengthening support within the juvenile justice framework.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2346: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in property rights, further providing for equitable division of marital property; and, in alimony and support, further providing for alimony.

This bill amends Pennsylvania laws to restrict financial support and asset division in divorce cases involving domestic violence. Specifically, it prevents a spouse convicted of a personal injury crime against their partner from receiving alimony or a share of marital property, unless the court determines that denying these benefits would cause a significant injustice. The legislation also clarifies that marital misconduct occurring after the final separation is generally not a factor in alimony decisions, with the notable exception of abuse. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts financial benefits for spouses convicted of domestic violence, aligning civil remedies with criminal justice outcomes to protect victims.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1338: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in governance of the system, further providing for fee increases and automation fee.

This bill allows Pennsylvania courts in specific counties to charge an additional $10 automation fee when starting a legal case. The collected money must be used exclusively to fund and maintain automated systems within the clerk of courts offices. The fee can be raised once every three years, but only by an amount matching the recent inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This change aims to provide dedicated funding for court technology updates while limiting how often and how much the fee can increase.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases court automation fees to fund technology updates, directly supporting fiscal management and funding essential government services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds court automation to improve efficiency and modernize judicial infrastructure, supporting the criminal justice system's operational capabilities.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds and maintains automated court systems, directly advancing technology infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 252: A Resolution recognizing March 18, 2026, as "Gideon's Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the hard and selfless work of public defenders across this Commonwealth.

This Senate Resolution designates March 18, 2026, as "Gideon's Day" in Pennsylvania to honor public defenders and the 1963 Supreme Court ruling that guarantees legal counsel to those who cannot afford it. The measure is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding; it simply recognizes the importance of public defenders in protecting constitutional rights during criminal proceedings. The resolution highlights the role public defenders play in representing indigent clients and acknowledges the challenges they face, though it stops short of mandating specific policy changes or resource allocations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill honors public defenders and the 1963 Gideon ruling guaranteeing legal counsel to indigent defendants, protecting constitutional rights in criminal proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2258: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, providing for trauma-informed screening for human trafficking victimization.

This bill requires juvenile probation officers in Pennsylvania to administer a trauma-informed screening to children involved in delinquency cases to check for human trafficking victimization. The screening is designed to identify whether a child is currently being exploited or is at risk of becoming a victim of sexual servitude. If the screening indicates trafficking involvement or risk, the officer must connect the child with specialized support services for sexually exploited minors. The Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission will work together to develop and implement this screening process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates trauma-informed screening for juvenile trafficking victims, enhancing protection and rehabilitation within juvenile justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

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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 · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 1932: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, repealing provisions relating to the offense of sexual intercourse with animal; and, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of aggravated cruelty to animal, providing for the offense of sexual crimes against animals and further providing for exemption of normal agricultural operations.

This bill removes the existing offense of "sexual intercourse with animal" from Pennsylvania law and replaces it with new provisions defining "sexual crimes against animals" and "aggravated cruelty to animals" (severe animal cruelty). It also explicitly exempts normal agricultural operations from these new provisions. The changes would affect how certain animal-related offenses are prosecuted in court, but not farmers or standard farming practices. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modernizes animal offense definitions, replaces outdated terms with precise legal standards, and exempts agriculture to prevent overcriminalization, advancing criminal justice reform through clearer, fairer law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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