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PA HB443

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/3/2025

Primary Sponsor

Timothy Briggs

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2025-2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Replaces mandatory life imprisonment for second degree murder (including murder of unborn child or law enforcement officer) with a maximum sentence of 50 years

  • Reduces sentences for juvenile offenders convicted of second degree murder: maximum 40 years for those aged 15-17, and maximum 30 years for those under 15

  • Allows parole eligibility after 25 years for adults serving life sentences for second degree murder, and after 20 years or 15 years for juvenile offenders depending on age at time of offense

  • Requires the Parole Board to prioritize public protection and victim safety, consider the offender's level of culpability, and determine whether the person directly caused or intended the death

  • Mandates victim notification and opportunity to be heard before parole is granted, and applies retroactively to all currently incarcerated offenders sentenced before, on, or after the effective date

Legislative Description

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer and for sentence of persons under the age of 18 for murder, murder of an unborn child and murder of a law enforcement officer; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.

Last Action

Referred to Judiciary

2/3/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/3/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available