Social & Criminal Justice
Preventing Discrimination
Pennsylvania is a wonderful place to work and live, to raise a family, to go to school, to start a business. We must ensure that those opportunities are available to all our residents, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, disability or creed.
THIS INCLUDES:
- Providing statewide, nondiscrimination laws that prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, or accommodations based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Providing the LGBTQIA community same protections against hate crimes afforded to other minority groups. Many of our neighboring states do, and it’s time we join them in making everyone feel comfortable and welcome in this Commonwealth.
Providing Protection to All Victims of Sexual Assault
And though we passed substantial legislation reforming the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sex abuse, more needs to be done.
OUR CAUCUS STANDS BY OUR VOTES LAST FALL TO PROVIDE:
- An immediate two-year, civil window for victims of both childhood and adult sex abuse.
- A complete repeal of the statute of limitations for criminal charges to be brought against a perpetrator regardless of the victims age.
- More resources to help victims recover from the trauma that was imposed on them.
Criminal Justice System Reform
Further, we need to continue the good work that the Senate Democrats have done reforming our criminal justice system. The Justice Reinvestment Initiative and Clean Slate law have improved out correction system, provided many former offenders paths to productive lives, and saved hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.
OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN BE IMPROVED BY:
- Reducing the amount of time and resources devoted to probationers who have completed sentences for past crimes while allowing them to fully re-integrate back into society.
- Currently, probation terms can far exceed the original sentence handed down at trial and create indefinite periods during which even a minor violation could result in re-confinement. In many cases, prolonged terms of probation result from technical violations that can perpetually extend the clock on the probation term. Technical violations could range from committing minor traffic offenses to traveling out of state – violations which anyone not on probation could easily incur in the course of life. This is inconsistent with the spirit of the law, which aims to rehabilitate rather than punish offenders.
- Providing a path to parole eligibility for individuals serving certain life sentences without parole.
- Providing for release of ‘short-sentence’ offenders once a minimum sentence is reached and certain provisions are met, including no commission of violent crimes or certain sexual offenses, no gun or high-volume drug delivery offenses, and no misconduct while incarcerated. This will provide significant cost savings for the state.
- Streamlining the process of accessing substance use disorder treatment for incarcerated individuals, which can lead to earlier release from prison.
- Financing the use of best practices in probation supervision statewide, using evidence-based practices to help county probation departments assess the unique risks and needs of each individual on probation.
- Providing better communication to victims of crimes about their rights, the availability of services, and the disposition an offender’s parole status.
- Eliminate incarceration for someone who fails to pay their cash bail. Paying a cash bail is simply not possible for some people, and locking them up for failing to pay that is a policy that punishes them again for not having means.
Our Members at Work
Senator Street’s Statement on Tyre Nichols
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Jan. 30th, 2023) - Following the vicious beating and death of Tyre Nichols, Senator Street released the following statement: “Tyre Nichols’ life mattered and to die at the hands of those responsible for protecting and serving is tragic. My...
Occupational Reform Bill on Way to Governor’s Desk
Harrisburg, June 25, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Sen. John DiSanto (R-15th district) that enacts a series of reforms designed to remove several barriers to licensure for Pennsylvanians with...
Bipartisan Probation Reform Proposal Moves Forward in the Senate
HARRISBURG – June 24, 2020 − The Senate Judiciary Committee approved today a bipartisan bill which would improve Pennsylvania’s probation system by addressing antiquated and arbitrary provisions in the law that have unnecessarily trapped nonviolent offenders in a...
Ensuring Accountability and Equality in Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System Part 2
Leach Introduces Bail Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG – October 22, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today introduced legislation that would end pretrial detention for those who fail to post bail. “There are nearly half a million Americans who are in jail even though they haven’t been...
Sen. Kearney Announces Plans to Protect Children from Being Confronted by Their Abusers
SPRINGFIELD – September 16, 2019 – Sen. Tim Kearney (D – Delaware, Chester) will introduce legislation to fix a serious oversight in state agencies' administrative proceedings that allows accused child abusers to cross-examine their victims. The proposed...
Muth Applauds Signing of Victims’ Rights Legislative Package
ROYERSFORD – July 17, 2019 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) applauded the governor’s signing of six bills that help to ensure and protect the rights of crime victims in Pennsylvania. “It is important to include the rights of victims in criminal justice...
Sen. Muth Joins Philadelphia District Attorney, Advocates Against the Death Penalty
PHILADELPHIA – July 16, 2019 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) joined Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, lawmakers, and advocates to address the unconstitutionality of the death penalty. “The unconstitutionality of the death penalty...
Sabatina: Marsy’s Law Passes Senate
HARRISBURG - June 19, 2019 - Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) was pleased to see Marsy’s Law pass unanimously in the Senate today by a vote of 50-0. The version that passed the Senate is State Rep. Delozier’s companion bill, HB 276, which is identical to Sen....
Sabatina: Karen’s Law Passes the Senate
HARRISBURG - June 19, 2019 - Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is elated that his legislation Senate Bill 123, also known as Karen’s Law, was passed unanimously (50-0) by the Senate and is one major step closer to becoming a law in Pennsylvania. “It’s been well...
Dinniman, Fellow Senators Introduce TRU Bill
HARRISBURG - June 3, 2019 – State Senator Andy Dinniman and fellow senators announced new legislation to address security needs and confront violence against faith-based organizations and those with diverse members. Dinniman was joined by state Senators Jay...
Senator Anthony Williams to Attend LG Fetterman’s Legalization Listening Tour
PHILADELPHIA - May, 16, 2019 - Senator Anthony H. Williams will attend one of the final stops of Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s listening tour on the legalization of marijuana this weekend in Philadelphia. “I’m looking forward to providing constituents of the...
Lawmakers Announce Legislation to End the Death Penalty in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – April 30, 2019 – Today, Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery), and Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) were joined by advocates as they called for ending the death penalty in Pennsylvania. The lawmakers are...
ADVISORY: Democratic & Republican Lawmakers Call for End to Death Penalty in PA
HARRISBURG - April 29, 2019 - On Tuesday, April 30, Senators Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) will join Representatives Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) and Francis Ryan (R-Lebanon) to advocate for the repeal of the death penalty...
Farnese Supports Effort to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses
HARRISBURG -- April 10, 2019 – Sen. Larry Farnese (D- Philadelphia) today said he strongly supports legislation unveiled by Senate Democrats that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual offenses and allow victims to sue their abusers for damages. ...
Senate Democrats Jointly Introduce Bill to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses
HARRISBURG - April 10, 2019 --- Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus introduced legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual offenses and open a window for civil liability. The legislation was introduced as Senate Bill 540. “I...
Senators Haywood and Street Hosted Press Conference and Film Screening on Life Without Parole in PA
HARRISBURG – April 9, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) joined Villanova University’s Film Department, John Pace, and Tyrone Werts for a press conference and screening of The Mayor of...
Senators Haywood and Street to Host Press Conference and Film Screening on Life Without Parole in PA
HARRISBURG – April 8, 2019 – Tomorrow, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) will join Villanova University’s Film Department, John Pace, and Tyrone Werts for a press conference and screening of The...
Senate Democrats to Introduce Legislation to Abolish Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses
HARRISBURG - April 8, 2019 - Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus will introduce legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for a list of sexual offenses, regardless of whether the victim was a child or adult when the crime occurred. They...
Sens. Hughes, Haywood, Williams, and Street Make Call to Address Poverty and Economic Insecurity in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
PHILADELPHIA – April 4, 2019 – Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), and Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) stood with local activists and advocates to announce the Senate Democrats...