SB 1290
An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, providing for the restriction on use of cash bail for pregnant defendants.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill restricts the use of cash bail for pregnant defendants in Pennsylvania. It establishes a presumption against imposing monetary conditions on pregnant defendants who aren't facing capital offenses or life sentences. The bill requires bail authorities to document the reasons for imposing monetary conditions and mandates that pregnant defendants be informed of their right to request a pregnancy test upon arrest and while in pretrial detention. It also addresses the confidentiality of medical information and penalties for misrepresenting pregnancy status.
Key provisions
- Establishes a rebuttable presumption against cash bail for pregnant defendants not facing capital or life imprisonment offenses.
- Requires verbal notification to bail authorities of a defendant’s pregnancy status.
- Mandates documentation of reasons for imposing monetary conditions on pregnant defendants.
- Allows pregnant defendants to request a pregnancy test upon arrest and while in pretrial detention at no cost.
- Requires county jails to provide a pregnancy test within 24 hours of a request.
- Protects the confidentiality of medical information related to pregnancy.
- Defines ‘Pregnant defendant’ and ‘pretrial detention’ for clarity.
- Creates penalties for falsely claiming to be pregnant.
Who is affected
- Pregnant defendants
- Bail authorities
- County jails and correctional facilities
- Judges
- Defense attorneys
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Christine Tartaglione
Judith Schwank
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours