Judiciary 2025-2026
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.
Senadora Amanda Cappelletti
Presidente del Comité