Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Safety and Reform Bills

Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Safety and Reform Bills

Rep. Tim Briggs    June 30, 2025 | 2:20 PM

HARRISBURG, June 30 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, under the leadership of majority Chair Rep. Tim Briggs. D-Montgomery, today approved a series of bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing public safety, modernizing outdated statutes, and improving protections for workers across the Commonwealth. The legislation now advances to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.

“These bipartisan bills represent the kind of thoughtful, responsive lawmaking that Pennsylvanians expect from their elected officials,” Briggs said. “From cracking down on dangerous substances to protecting outdoor public workers, our committee is committed to modernizing our laws to reflect the realities of today’s world.”

The approved bills include:

  • House Bill 377, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Allegheny/Washington, would ban the sale, possession, and manufacture of tianeptine, a dangerous and unregulated substance sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin.” The drug, while marketed as an antidepressant in other countries, can mimic the euphoric effects of opioids and poses a serious public health threat.
  • House Bill 1427, also sponsored by Kuzma, would repeal the long-defunct Pennsylvania Crime Commission Act. The commission was disbanded in 1993, and its investigative responsibilities were transferred to the Pennsylvania State Police. The repeal is a necessary step to clean up obsolete statutes.
  • House Bill 1562, sponsored by Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, would repeal the law criminalizing fortune telling. This legislation recognizes the outdated nature of the statute and supports freedom of expression.
  • House Bill 1629, sponsored by Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., would require public employers to implement workplace violence prevention plans tailored for outdoor and nontraditional work environments. The bill includes mandatory training, access to support services for affected workers, and the establishment of a Community Safety Support Grant Program to fund safety improvements in collaboration with local organizations.
  • Senate Bill 739, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-Berks/Montgomery, would update existing laws to include new technologies used in vehicle theft, such as key programming tools and relay attack devices that clone or reprogram key fobs. The bill ensures Pennsylvania law keeps pace with evolving criminal tactics.
  • House Resolution 99, sponsored by Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, calls for the formation of a bipartisan task force through the Joint State Government Commission to review Pennsylvania’s crimes, sentencing, and judicial codes. The task force would be charged with identifying outdated or duplicative laws and making recommendations for reform.

“These measures reflect our commitment to keeping communities safe, protecting workers, and ensuring that our legal code is fair, modern, and enforceable,” Briggs said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to move these bills forward”

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