Judiciary 2025-2026

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The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 to consider the following legislation:

SB 357 P.N. 546 (Dush) –  Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by repealing licensing requirement for concealed carry of a firearm and implementing optional licensing.

• Reported out of committee 9-5 along party lines.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 to consider the following legislation:

Senate Bill 45, P.N. 1512 (Dush/ Collett) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) relocating offenses relating to prostitution to Chapter 30 (relating to human trafficking) and increases penalties.

• Amendment No. 2992 adopted by a vote of 12-1 (Sen. Saval voting no).
• Reported out as amended unanimously.

Senate Bill 1235, P.N. 1513 (Baker) – Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to authorize members of the Pennsylvania Parole Board to serve beyond expiration of term for up to six months or until successor qualifies.

• Reported out unanimously.

Senate Bill 1259, P.N. 1561 (Cappelletti/Baker) – Amends Title 61 to enhance confidentiality of documents used by the Parole Board and clarify what information may be disclosed.

• Amendment No. 2954 adopted unanimously.
• Reported out as amended unanimously.

Senate Bill 1284, P.N. 1580 (Baker/Brown) – Amends Titles 18 and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to increase penalties for attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder of a law enforcement officer.

• Reported out of committee 8-5 along party lines.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 for a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. John O’Brien II, Esq. to the Board of Pardons.

The nomination advanced out of Committee with a favorable recommendation by a vote of 9 to 5 (Senators Cappelletti, Collett, Saval, Haywood & Mastriano voting in opposition).

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Monday, February 2, 2026 to consider the following legislation:

House Bill 331, P.N. 2718 (Rep. Briggs)—Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to provide for judicial funding. Reported out as amended by a vote of 12 to 2.

• Amendment No. 02399 (Sen. Baker)—Removes language imposing a $2 Access to Justice fee on traffic summary citations and replaces it with a directive that the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee complete a performance audit of the Access to Justice Account. Adopted by a vote of 9 to 5 along party lines.

House Bill 1286, P.N. 2709 (Rep. Young)—Amends the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act to provide training requirements for public lodging establishments and short-term rentals. Reported out as amended unanimously.

• Amendment No. 02416 (Sen. Baker)—Amends verification requirements for third party operators; makes technical changes. Adopted unanimously.

Senate Bill 44, P.N. 1076 (Sen. Dush)— An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions and providing for victim determination statement and for State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator; and, in licensing of drivers, providing for restoration of operating privilege for victims of human trafficking. Reported out unanimously.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Monday, December 8, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

House Bill 1934 P.N. 2433 (Rep. Briggs/ Rep. Kauffman)—An Act amending the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, in general provisions, further providing for definitions. Reported out of committee with all members voting in the affirmative except Senator Mastriano.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

House Bill 1425 P.N. 1950 (McNeill/ James/ Briggs)– An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tobacco products tax, further providing for definitions, for incidence and rate of tax, for licensing of wholesalers and for licensing of retailers and providing for electronic nicotine delivery system directory. Reported out as amended unanimously.

• Amendment No. A01979 (Baker)– Incorporates changes requested by OAG and Dept. of Revenue (DOR); Removes bonding requirement for wholesalers to keep on same standard as retailers (House removed bonding requirements for retailers); Shifts some enforcement responsibilities from DOR to OAG; Makes technical changes (removes references to “distributor,” which is not used or defined in the Art. XII-a; the proper term is “wholesaler”). Amendment passed unanimously.

House Bill 1176 P.N. 2382 (Ciresi)– An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in intestate succession, further providing for shares of others than surviving spouse; and, in dispositions independent of letters, family exemption, probate of wills and grant of letters, further providing for payments to family and funeral directors. Reported out as committed unanimously. 

Senate Bill 911 P.N. 1038 (Picozzi)– An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for miscellaneous provisions and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; establishing the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.  Reported out as amended unanimously

• Amendment No. A01989 (Baker)– Requested by PCCD. Incorporates changes the House made to companion bill, HB 1511. Amendment passed unanimously.

Senate Bill 1050 P.N. 1224 (Pennycuick/ Martin/ Baker)- An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child protective services, further providing for persons required to report suspected child abuse. Reported out as amended unanimously. 

• Amendment No. A02010 (Malone)– Incorporates Sen. Malone’s SB 1034. Adds the following offenses to ‘child-on-child contact’ that must be reported by mandated reporters: ‘Unlawful dissemination of intimate image’ as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3131 (relating to unlawful dissemination of intimate image); and ‘Sexual abuse of children’ as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312 (relating to filming, depicting, distributing, or possessing images of a child under 18 engaged in a prohibited sexual act (or the simulation thereof). Amendment passed unanimously.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

Senate Bill 111, P.N. 63 (Argall)—Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to authorize the hiring and promotion of out-of-state residents as corrections officers by the Department of Corrections.

• Bill was reported out of committee unanimously

Senate Bill 914, P.N. 1090 (Farry)—Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by codifying the Scrap Metal Act (Act of Oct. 9, 2008, P.L. 1408, No. 113) into Chapter 39 (relating to Theft and Related Offenses).

• Bill was reported out of committee unanimously

House Bill 18, P.N. 1974 (Olsommer)—Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to require the court to hold a guardianship review hearing within 60 days of the filing of a petition to modify or terminate a guardianship order.

• Bill was reported out of committee unanimously

House Bill 414, P.N. 390 (C. Williams)—Amends Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 51 (Military Affairs) to implement the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act, which clarifies custody matters involving a parent subject to military deployment.

• Bill was reported out of committee unanimously

House Bill 1406, P.N. 1980 (Rabb)—Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to grade theft offenses involving the title or deed to real property as a felony of the second degree.

• Bill was reported out of committee unanimously

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, June 26, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

SB 875: Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal history record information, further providing for clean slate limited access; in motivational boot camp, further providing for definitions, for selection of inmate participants, for motivational boot camp program, for procedure for selection of participant in motivational boot camp program, for completion of motivational boot camp program and for evaluation; in State drug treatment program, further providing for definitions; and, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for report on incarcerated individuals with certain health conditions.

Reported as committed by a vote of 10-4

SB 381: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for nonapplicability of subchapter; in public safety, prohibiting certain animal experimentation, sale and testing and providing for whistleblower protection; and imposing penalties.

Reported as committed by a unanimous vote

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Monday, June 23, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

Senate Bill 779: Creates the offense of unlawful towing and towing storage facility practices; and imposing penalties.

• Reported unanimously

House Bill 491: Establishes concurrent jurisdiction of the Commonwealth and the United States on military bases for .

• Reported unanimously

House Bill 378: Consolidates the factors to consider when awarding custody from 16 factors to 12.

• Reported unanimously

House Bill 355: Sentencing enhancement for the offense of corruption of minors and for the offense of unlawful contact with minor.

• Passed by a vote of 11-3 with Senators Mastriano, Dush, and Pennycuick voting in opposition

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 to vote on the following legislation:

Senate Bill 635, P.N. 863 (Langerholc) — Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to establish a sentencing enhancement for certain felony drug offenses committed within 1,000 feet of a drug and alcohol recovery house. Reported from committee by a 9-4 vote with Senators Cappelletti, Collett, Santarsiero, and Saval voting in the negative.                  

• Amendment A 00798 (Baker) – Relocates sentencing enhancement to Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and makes technical changes. Passed unanimously.

Senate Bill 649, P.N. 705 (Pennycuick) — Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by establishing the offense of digital forgery and providing related definitions and penalties. Reported from committeeunanimously.

Senate Bill 739, P.N. 797 (Pennycuick) — Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to prohibit the manufacture, distribution, sale, transfer, use or possession of illicit devices for motor vehicles and provides for related penalties and definitions. Reported from committee by a 10-3 vote with Senators Cappelletti, Collett, and Saval voting in the negative. 

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Monday, May 12, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

Senate Bill 302, P.N. 762 (Baker)- Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for commencement of proceedings. Ensures a portion of PFA fees be distributed to whichever law enforcement agency provides service. Requires that a sheriff or law enforcement agency serve PFA petitions and orders in all cases.

• A 00502: Clarifies the procedure for the distribution of the $25 service fee. Under the amendment, the $25 fee shall be distributed to the sheriff. In the event another local law enforcement agency served the petition and order, the sheriff shall forward the $25 to such entity. In the event the sheriff served the petition and order, the sheriff shall retain the $25. Adopted by a unanimous vote.

SB 302 was reported, as amended by a unanimous vote.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

Senate Bill 255, P.N. 207 (Baker/Martin) — Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to classify the crime of Sexual Assault by a Sports Official, Volunteer or Employee of a Nonprofit Association as a Tier II sexual offense under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

• Reported unanimously

 Senate Bill 520, P.N. 489 (Baker) — Authorizes the use of body worn cameras by officers of Game Commission, Fish & Boat Commission, DCNR, and Office of Attorney General.

• Reported by a vote of 13-1

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 to consider the following legislation:

SB 92 (Mastriano) – An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; and imposing a penalty. Passed by a vote of 10-4 with Senators Cappelletti, Collett, Saval, and Haywood voting in opposition.

• A00177: Adopted by a vote of 10-4 with Senators Bartolotta, Collett, Saval, and Haywood voting in opposition.

SB 326 (Baker) – An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for authority to control. This bill went over.

SB 347 (Tartaglione) – An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties. Passed by a vote of 10-4 with Senators Cappelletti, Haywood, Santarsiero, and Saval voting in opposition.

SB 475 (Cappelletti) – 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. Passed by a unanimous vote.

SB 490 (Robinson) – An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, providing for bail of persons posing threat to public safety. Passed by a party line vote of 9-5.

SB 471 (Laughlin) – An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to criminal proceedings, providing for citizenship status of criminal defendants. Passed by a party line vote of 9-5.

SB 96 (Brooks) – An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats. Passed by a vote of 11-3 with Senators Cappelletti, Collett, and Saval voting in opposition.

SB 175 (Hughes) – An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of false alarms to agencies of public safety. Passed by a unanimous vote.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Monday, February 3, 2025 to consider the following Court of Common Pleas Judicial Nominations:

• Anthony McDonald, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Columbia and Montour Counties
• Simquita Bridges, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County
• Ray Ghaner, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Huntingdon County
• Mark Powell, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Lackawanna County
• Mackenzie Smith, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Chester County
• Matthew Schimizzi, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Westmoreland County
• Michele Alfieri-Causer, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, McKean County
• Louis Mincarelli, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Chester County
• Alyssa Cowan, Esquire, nominee for Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County
• Reported out with a favorable recommendation by a vote of 11-3 with Senators Dush, Mastriano, and Bartolotta voting in the opposition.

All of the nominees were reported out with a unanimous favorable recommendation unless otherwise noted.