An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), 61 (Prisons and Parole) and 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in crimes against unborn child, further providing for the offense of murder of unborn child; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in judicial boards and commissions, further providing for adoption of guidelines for sentencing; in posttrial matters, further providing for jurisdiction and proceedings; in sentencing, providing for sentence for general murder of the second degree, further providing for * * *
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends several Pennsylvania statutes, including those related to crimes, sentencing, parole, and prison administration. Specifically, it clarifies and strengthens penalties for murder, including murder of an unborn child and law enforcement officers, and increases the minimum sentence for murder of the second degree. It also introduces provisions for earned vocational training and education credits for inmates, expands parole eligibility for those convicted of second-degree murder, and outlines procedures for victim notification and participation in parole hearings. The bill aims to enhance public safety and rehabilitation efforts within the state’s correctional system.
Key provisions
- Increases penalties for murder, including murder of an unborn child and murder of a law enforcement officer, potentially leading to life imprisonment.
- Establishes a minimum sentence of life imprisonment for second-degree murder, with potential for a shorter sentence if the defendant proves they were not the sole perpetrator and met other criteria.
- Creates a system for inmates to earn vocational training and education credits, which can reduce their minimum sentence.
- Expands parole eligibility for inmates convicted of second-degree murder who have served a significant portion of their sentence.
- Requires the Board of Probation and Parole to consider victim statements and testimony during parole hearings.
- Defines ‘eligible inmate’ for parole purposes, specifying criteria related to prior convictions and sentence length.
- Introduces a new section regarding parole eligibility for offenders sentenced to life for murder of the second degree.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Document of record
- Version
- Pn 3766 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours