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PA HB888
Bill
Status
3/17/2025
Primary Sponsor
Russ Diamond
Click for details
AI Summary
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Eliminates the death penalty as a sentencing option for first-degree murder, murder of a law enforcement officer, and murder of an unborn child, making life imprisonment the mandatory sentence for these offenses.
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Removes death penalty provisions from arson-related murder statutes, requiring life imprisonment without parole for arson resulting in first or second-degree murder.
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Repeals procedures for issuing execution warrants by the Governor and removes capital case provisions from postconviction DNA testing statutes.
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Preserves the Governor's inherent power to commute life imprisonment sentences.
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Applies to defendants not yet sentenced as of the effective date, with the act taking effect 60 days after enactment.
Legislative Description
In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.
Last Action
Referred to Judiciary
3/17/2025