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
Dec. 17, 2019 PA SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Bill Passed - House (167 - 29)
Nov. 21, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Nov. 20, 2019 PA HB 1402 Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37)
Oct. 30, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
Oct. 23, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
June 27, 2019 PA SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
June 26, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 11, 2019 PA SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 3, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
Sept. 26, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - House (131 - 62)
Sept. 26, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - House (131 - 62)
Sept. 25, 2018 PA SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (173 - 21)
June 25, 2018 PA HB 1037 Limits Punitive Damages in Certain Medical Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (91 - 103)
June 22, 2018 PA HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
April 18, 2018 PA SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 18, 2018 PA SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
June 28, 2017 PA SB 383 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
April 26, 2017 PA HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
April 5, 2017 PA HB 741 Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - House (122 - 67)
April 5, 2017 PA HB 741 Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - House (122 - 67)
Feb. 1, 2017 PA SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
July 13, 2015 PA SB 683 Requires DNA Sample from Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Oct. 20, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
Oct. 20, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Oct. 15, 2014 PA HB 1750 Prohibits Pigeon Shoots Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
Oct. 6, 2014 PA HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
Oct. 6, 2014 PA HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA SB 850 Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA SB 941 Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication Bill Passed - House (104 - 87)
June 13, 2012 PA HB 2400 Expands Wiretapping Authority Bill Passed - House (145 - 52)
March 14, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
March 7, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
June 30, 2011 PA HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (130 - 66)
June 30, 2011 PA HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 27, 2011 PA SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
June 23, 2011 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - House (108 - 88)
June 21, 2011 PA SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 11, 2011 PA HB 1 Comparative Negligence Provisions Bill Passed - House (112 - 88)
March 4, 2011 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
Oct. 14, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Oct. 14, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Oct. 5, 2010 PA HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
Oct. 5, 2010 PA HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2572 Establishing the Special Juvenile Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - House (125 - 76)
June 29, 2010 PA SR 348 Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 8, 2010 PA SB 1161 Authorizing Qualified Inmate Transfer to Pre-Release Centers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
July 14, 2009 PA HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
June 10, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
April 1, 2008 PA A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
June 12, 2006 PA HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/17 SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Bill Passed - House (167 - 29)
11/21 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
11/20 HB 1402 Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
11/19 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37)
10/30 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
10/23 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
6/27 SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
6/26 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/11 SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
10/17 SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/17 SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/03 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
10/03 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
9/26 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - House (131 - 62)
9/26 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - House (131 - 62)
9/25 SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (173 - 21)
6/25 HB 1037 Limits Punitive Damages in Certain Medical Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (91 - 103)
6/22 HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
4/18 SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/18 SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/11 HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
6/28 SB 383 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
4/26 HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
4/05 HB 741 Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - House (122 - 67)
4/05 HB 741 Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - House (122 - 67)
2/01 SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
7/13 SB 683 Requires DNA Sample from Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
10/15 HB 1750 Prohibits Pigeon Shoots Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
10/17 SB 850 Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
10/17 SB 941 Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication Bill Passed - House (104 - 87)
6/13 HB 2400 Expands Wiretapping Authority Bill Passed - House (145 - 52)
3/14 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
3/07 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
6/30 HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (130 - 66)
6/30 HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/27 SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
6/23 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - House (108 - 88)
6/21 SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/11 HB 1 Comparative Negligence Provisions Bill Passed - House (112 - 88)
3/04 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws
11/15 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
11/15 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
10/14 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
10/14 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
10/05 HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
10/05 HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
6/30 HB 2572 Establishing the Special Juvenile Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - House (125 - 76)
6/29 SR 348 Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/08 SB 1161 Authorizing Qualified Inmate Transfer to Pre-Release Centers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
7/14 HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
6/10 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
4/01 A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/28 HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
6/12 HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)

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