Pennsylvania Criminal Justice Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
June 25, 2026 PA SB 1212 Amends Statutory Language to Reduce Sexual Assault Evidence Testing Wait Times Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 24, 2026 PA SB 1273 Authorizes Electronic Toll Data to be Provided to Law Enforcement in Amber Alert and Missing Endangered Persons Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
June 23, 2026 PA SB 469 Authorizes $1 Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 23, 2026 PA SB 469 Authorizes $1 Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 17, 2026 PA HB 2299 Authorizes the Use of Body-Cameras by County Parole Officers Bill Passed - House (195 - 7)
June 15, 2026 PA HB 377 Prohibits the Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession of Tianeptine Bill Passed - House (200 - 2)
Feb. 4, 2026 PA HB 144 Establishes Standard Alternatives to Incarceration for Minors Convicted of Non-Violent Offenses Bill Passed - House (153 - 45)
Dec. 17, 2025 PA HB 150 Authorizes Terminally Ill Inmates to Receive Care in the Community or Spend Their End-of-Life at Home Bill Passed - House (111 - 92)
Nov. 19, 2025 PA HB 439 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hair or Hairstyles Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 3)
Oct. 28, 2025 PA SB 111 Authorizes Out-of-State Residents to Work in Pennsylvania Correctional Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2025 PA SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Bill Passed - House (202 - 1)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Oct. 1, 2025 PA HB 1866 Prohibits the Possession and Use of Machine Gun Conversion Devices Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
Oct. 1, 2025 PA HB 102 Classifies Harassment of a Sports Official as a Third Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (137 - 66)
Sept. 30, 2025 PA HB 1099 Prohibits the Use and Distribution of Ghost Guns Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
Sept. 30, 2025 PA HB 1593 Expands Background Check Requirements for Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (104 - 99)
Sept. 30, 2025 PA HB 1859 Establishes Extreme Risk Protections to Authorize Firearms to be Taken From Individuals in Crisis Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
Sept. 29, 2025 PA HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
June 30, 2025 PA HB 640 Amends and Updates Annual Reporting Requirements for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
June 30, 2025 PA SB 95 Authorizes Emergency Medical Service Providers to Leave Naloxone With a Caregiver of an Overdose Patient Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
June 30, 2025 PA HB 640 Amends and Updates Annual Reporting Requirements for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (183 - 20)
June 30, 2025 PA SB 95 Authorizes Emergency Medical Service Providers to Leave Naloxone With a Caregiver of an Overdose Patient Bill Passed - House (126 - 77)
June 26, 2025 PA SB 518 Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
June 26, 2025 PA SB 649 Establishes a Criminal Offense for Digital Forgery Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
June 9, 2025 PA HB 462 Authorizes Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse to File Lawsuits Beyond the Statute of Limitations Bill Passed - House (122 - 80)
May 7, 2025 PA HB 1200 Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults Ages 21 and Older Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
April 2, 2025 PA SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
March 31, 2025 PA SB 490 Prohibits Monetary Bail Release for Individuals With Prior Violent Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 17, 2025 PA HB 111 Prohibits Life Insurers From Discriminating Against Applicants Based on a Prescription for an Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent Bill Passed - House (153 - 49)
March 17, 2025 PA HB 439 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hair or Hairstyles Bill Passed - House (194 - 8)
Nov. 13, 2024 PA HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Oct. 21, 2024 PA HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 89)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 1118 Authorizes Suspended Drivers to Pay Fines with Community Service Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1700 Prohibits the Public Release of Any Personal Information of Federal Judges Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 2084 Authorizes Virtual Manufacturers Licenses for Drug Prescription Distribution Bill Passed - House (200 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA SB 170 Amends Criminal Statutes Governing the Duties of Probation Officers Bill Passed - House (194 - 7)
Sept. 17, 2024 PA SB 173 Establishes a Safe Exchange Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Sept. 17, 2024 PA SB 170 Amends Criminal Statutes Governing the Duties of Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
Sept. 17, 2024 PA SB 169 Amends Juvenile Statutes in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 2473 Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code and Outlines the Process for Appeals to the Court and County Board Membership Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
July 2, 2024 PA SB 186 Amends Definition and Titles of Child Pornography to Child Sexual Abuse Material Bill Passed - House (144 - 58)
June 28, 2024 PA HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - House (177 - 25)
June 27, 2024 PA HB 2108 Amends Provisions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Bill Passed - House (132 - 70)
June 27, 2024 PA HB 2107 Authorizes Hunting for Mitigation of Deer Population Damage Bill Passed - House (164 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/25 SB 1212 Amends Statutory Language to Reduce Sexual Assault Evidence Testing Wait Times Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/24 SB 1273 Authorizes Electronic Toll Data to be Provided to Law Enforcement in Amber Alert and Missing Endangered Persons Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
6/23 SB 469 Authorizes $1 Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/23 SB 469 Authorizes $1 Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/17 HB 2299 Authorizes the Use of Body-Cameras by County Parole Officers Bill Passed - House (195 - 7)
6/15 HB 377 Prohibits the Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession of Tianeptine Bill Passed - House (200 - 2)
2/04 HB 144 Establishes Standard Alternatives to Incarceration for Minors Convicted of Non-Violent Offenses Bill Passed - House (153 - 45)
12/17 HB 150 Authorizes Terminally Ill Inmates to Receive Care in the Community or Spend Their End-of-Life at Home Bill Passed - House (111 - 92)
11/19 HB 439 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hair or Hairstyles Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 3)
10/28 SB 111 Authorizes Out-of-State Residents to Work in Pennsylvania Correctional Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/22 SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
10/07 SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Bill Passed - House (202 - 1)
10/07 HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
10/01 HB 1866 Prohibits the Possession and Use of Machine Gun Conversion Devices Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
10/01 HB 102 Classifies Harassment of a Sports Official as a Third Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (137 - 66)
9/30 HB 1099 Prohibits the Use and Distribution of Ghost Guns Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
9/30 HB 1593 Expands Background Check Requirements for Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (104 - 99)
9/30 HB 1859 Establishes Extreme Risk Protections to Authorize Firearms to be Taken From Individuals in Crisis Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
9/29 HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
6/30 HB 640 Amends and Updates Annual Reporting Requirements for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
6/30 SB 95 Authorizes Emergency Medical Service Providers to Leave Naloxone With a Caregiver of an Overdose Patient Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
6/30 HB 640 Amends and Updates Annual Reporting Requirements for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (183 - 20)
6/30 SB 95 Authorizes Emergency Medical Service Providers to Leave Naloxone With a Caregiver of an Overdose Patient Bill Passed - House (126 - 77)
6/26 SB 518 Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
6/26 SB 649 Establishes a Criminal Offense for Digital Forgery Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
6/09 HB 462 Authorizes Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse to File Lawsuits Beyond the Statute of Limitations Bill Passed - House (122 - 80)
5/07 HB 1200 Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults Ages 21 and Older Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
4/02 SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
3/31 SB 490 Prohibits Monetary Bail Release for Individuals With Prior Violent Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/17 HB 111 Prohibits Life Insurers From Discriminating Against Applicants Based on a Prescription for an Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent Bill Passed - House (153 - 49)
3/17 HB 439 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hair or Hairstyles Bill Passed - House (194 - 8)
11/13 HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
10/21 HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 89)
10/09 SB 1118 Authorizes Suspended Drivers to Pay Fines with Community Service Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
10/09 HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
10/09 HB 1700 Prohibits the Public Release of Any Personal Information of Federal Judges Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/09 HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
10/09 HB 2084 Authorizes Virtual Manufacturers Licenses for Drug Prescription Distribution Bill Passed - House (200 - 1)
10/08 SB 170 Amends Criminal Statutes Governing the Duties of Probation Officers Bill Passed - House (194 - 7)
9/17 SB 173 Establishes a Safe Exchange Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
9/17 SB 170 Amends Criminal Statutes Governing the Duties of Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
9/17 SB 169 Amends Juvenile Statutes in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/09 HB 2473 Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code and Outlines the Process for Appeals to the Court and County Board Membership Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
7/02 SB 186 Amends Definition and Titles of Child Pornography to Child Sexual Abuse Material Bill Passed - House (144 - 58)
6/28 HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - House (177 - 25)
6/27 HB 2108 Amends Provisions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Bill Passed - House (132 - 70)
6/27 HB 2107 Authorizes Hunting for Mitigation of Deer Population Damage Bill Passed - House (164 - 38)

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