judiciary-committee

Gun safety measures head to Pa. House over GOP objections

BY: - November 14, 2023

GOP lawmakers argued that measures holding parents responsible when children access guns and safe storage requirements would punish gun owners.

Lawmakers take a bipartisan first step toward repealing Pennsylvania’s death penalty

BY: - October 31, 2023

Legislation to repeal Pennsylvania's death penalty passed out of a state House committee in what the bill's sponsor called a historic vote.

A proposed amendment to Pennsylvania’s constitution would change how the state considers pardons

BY: - October 30, 2023

Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons must vote unanimously in order for a person to be recommended for a pardon. HB 1410 would change it to a simple majority.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Experts say a bill to restrict where sexual predators can live in Pa. misses the mark

BY: - September 13, 2023

The state House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday heard testimony on a bill that would place restrictions on where sexually violent predators could live in Pennsylvania. But experts testified that such restrictions have been struck down on constitutional grounds in the past, and address a perceived problem not based on evidence.  House Bill 77 is co-sponsored by […]

(Photo by Source New Mexico)

Protections for pets in domestic violence, divorce cases pass Pa. House panel

BY: - June 14, 2023

“Frequently, when a protection from abuse order is issued, the animal becomes a target … ,” Rep. Christina Sappey said.

Ban on shackling pregnant women, solitary confinement in prison advances in Pa. House

BY: - April 18, 2023

'I'm not saying open the door and let everyone out. All I'm saying is give these women some dignity,' women's safe house director Tonie Willis said

A man shoots AR-15 rifles and other weapons at a shooting range during the “Rod of Iron Freedom Festival” on October 12, 2019 in Greeley, Pa. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images).

Judiciary committee deletes age restrictions for assault weapon ownership

BY: - June 21, 2022

House Republicans stripped a bill barring people younger than 21 from obtaining assault weapons and replaced it with concealed-carry language Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed in December.

Pa. House panel advances bills expanding penalties for human trafficking

BY: - January 14, 2020

The vote came amid concerns by civil libertarians that lawmakers are 'bloating' the criminal code by boosting penalties for too many offenses.