HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today expressed his support for legislation that responds to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Lee by reforming second-degree murder sentencing while advancing additional criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation, accountability and fairness. House Bill 1042 , which passed the House with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for further consideration, addresses the court’s ruling that automatic life-without-parole sentences for individuals convicted of second-degree murder under the felony murder rule are unconstitutional. “Pennsylvania’s justice system must uphold both public safety and constitutional protections,” Briggs said. “This legislation provides a responsible path forward by ensuring that sentences are based on an individual’s level of culpability while maintaining safeguards to protect our communities.” Under the bill, the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder would be replaced with sentencing that considers an offender’s specific role and level of culpability. Individuals convicted of second-degree murder who receive a life sentence would become eligible to petition for parole consideration after serving 30 years. Briggs emphasized that parole eligibility is not parole, and the legislation does not guarantee release for Read more
KING OF PRUSSIA, July 16 – State Rep. Tim Briggs today announced that the Ardmore Avenue Community Center project has been awarded a $500,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to help create a modern community hub and transform the surrounding recreational facilities. The latest grant builds on a previously awarded $3 million RACP grant for the project, bringing the total state investment through the program to $3.5 million. Plans for the new community center include flexible programming space, a full-size gymnasium, and additional community gathering areas. Surrounding park improvements will feature on-site parking, redesigned basketball, tennis/pickleball, and volleyball courts, an accessible playground, and a picnic area adjacent to the existing community swimming pool. "This investment is about creating a place where residents of all ages can come together to learn, play, stay active, and build community," Briggs said. "The new Ardmore Avenue Community Center and upgraded park amenities will provide families with safe, modern spaces that will serve our community for generations. I'm proud to support this project and grateful to see this state investment coming home to our district." The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program provides state funding for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects that Read more
HARRISBURG, July 14 – State Reps. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, and Joe Kerwin, R-Dauphin, today announced that key provisions of their bipartisan Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods, to be known as the VICTIM Act, has been signed into law as part of the 2026-27 Fiscal Code. The Fiscal Code, signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday, establishes a new grant program through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help local law enforcement agencies improve clearance rates for homicides and other violent crimes. The state budget also includes $2.5 million to fund the initiative. The new program will provide grants to help law enforcement agencies hire and retain detectives and investigators, invest in evidence-analysis technology and other investigative tools, and strengthen support for victims and families impacted by unsolved violent crime. "Every victim deserves justice, and every family deserves answers," Briggs said. "The VICTIM Act is about giving law enforcement the resources they need to solve more violent crimes, hold offenders accountable and make our communities safer. I'm proud to have worked with Rep. Kerwin on this bipartisan effort, and I'm grateful that these provisions are now law. This investment will help departments across Pennsylvania strengthen investigations, improve public safety and provide hope for families who have waited far too long for Read more
HARRISBURG, JUNE 25 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chairman of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, announced today that the committee has approved several bills aimed at protecting children, strengthening public safety, improving fairness in the legal system and supporting the work of corrections and parole officials. “These bills tackle real issues affecting communities across Pennsylvania,” Briggs said. “They protect children, support victims of exploitation, improve transparency and fairness and help ensure that important public safety agencies can do their jobs effectively. I’m pleased the committee moved these measures forward so the full House can consider them.” The bills approved by the committee include: House Bill 1434 (Sponsored by Rep. Amen Brown) would increase penalties for retailers who illegally sell electronic cigarettes and vaping products to minors. Retailers would face fines of up to $5,000 for each violation, and businesses that repeatedly break the law would lose their license after a third offense. House Bill 2273 (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Jones) would require law enforcement agencies to provide clear written information when property is seized through civil asset forfeiture. The notice would explain a person's rights and provide information on how to seek the return of their property through the courts. Senate Bill 45 (Sponsored by Sens. Cris Dush and Maria Collett) Read more
HARRISBURG, June 17 – Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee Chairman state Rep. Tim Briggs today announced the committee’s approval of a package of bills focused on public safety, consumer protections, constitutional rights, and fairness in the justice system. The measures now head to the full House of Representatives for further consideration. “Today’s votes demonstrate our commitment to thoughtful, practical reforms that strengthen public confidence in our justice system and improve the lives of Pennsylvanians,” Briggs said. “These bills address important issues facing our communities and reflect the committee’s work to ensure our laws are fair, effective, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve.” The committee approved the following measures: House Bill 131 (sponsored by state Rep. Chris Rabb) would strengthen Pennsylvania’s law enforcement misconduct database to help police departments identify officers with histories of misconduct before making hiring decisions. The bill would improve accountability and help keep communities safe. “This database can be an invaluable resource for community safety, but only if we fulfill it to its highest potential,” Rabb said. “These changes will ensure no documented misconduct goes undetected and will deter law enforcement agencies from failing to take part in the accountability process. I urge Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, today announced that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed legislation he introduced to require candidates and political action committees to file campaign finance reports electronically with the Department of State. House Bill 1262 is designed to modernize Pennsylvania's campaign finance reporting system, improve transparency for the public, and reduce administrative costs for taxpayers. "For years, Pennsylvania has offered electronic filing as an option, yet some campaigns continue to submit paper reports," Briggs said. "That outdated process requires Department of State staff to manually enter information before it can be made available to the public, creating unnecessary costs and delays. Requiring electronic filing is a commonsense step that will provide voters with faster access to campaign finance information while making government more efficient." Under the bill, all candidates and political committees required to file periodic campaign finance reports with the Department of State would be required to do so electronically. The legislation also establishes daily penalties for reports that are not filed electronically by the required deadlines. Briggs noted that about 50% of candidates and political committees already use the state's online filing system and that a majority of states now require electronic filing of Read more
KING OF PRUSSIA, JUNE 10 – State Rep. Tim Briggs announced the winner of his 17th annual “There Ought to be a Law” contest, which drew entries from area fifth-grade students. The annual contest challenges fifth-graders to write an essay about a law they think would make their school, community or state a better place. “I am continually impressed by the creativity, compassion and critical thinking demonstrated by the students who participate in this contest,” Briggs said. “This year’s entries addressed a wide range of important issues, from mental health and environmental protection to public safety and civic responsibility. Their ideas remind us that young people have valuable perspectives and a strong desire to make their communities better.” The winner of this year’s contest is Suranne Ume of Upper Merion Area Middle School, who proposed that immigration enforcement should do no harm and focus on keeping people safe. In addition to the winner, the following students were named finalists in the contest: Upper Merion Area Middle School Arianna Bowens Adam Gatmaitan Aurora Geliebter Avni Ghorpade Max Hein Amelia Hughes Dylan Roble Addison Schaefer Yana Strosin Ammara Syed Theodora Viner Caskey Torah Academy Daniel E. Barnett Alexander Mogyoros Bracha Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, today announced that the committee has approved a series of bills and resolutions addressing public safety, criminal justice, civil justice, and judicial reforms. The measures now advance to the full House for further consideration. “These votes reflect the committee’s commitment to improving public safety, strengthening our justice system, and ensuring fairness for Pennsylvanians,” Briggs said. “The measures tackle a wide range of issues—from responsible firearm storage and impaired boating enforcement to civil justice reforms, and alternatives to incarceration. While the proposals address different challenges, they share a common goal of making our communities safer and our legal system more effective and equitable.” The committee approved the following legislation: House Bill 2462 , sponsored by Reps. Tim Brennan and Brian Munroe, would prohibit recreational facilities from using liability waivers to avoid responsibility for injuries resulting from their own negligence. House Bill 1913 , sponsored by Brennan, would allow both plaintiff and defense attorneys to recommend specific amounts for economic and noneconomic damages during closing arguments in civil cases. Current law leaves juries to determine damages without hearing quantified recommendations from either side. House Read more
“Today’s votes reflect a clear commitment to protecting vulnerable Pennsylvanians and ensuring our justice system responds with both accountability and compassion,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Tim Briggs. “These measures take meaningful steps to close gaps in the law, support survivors, and hold offenders responsible.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 27 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today announced that several significant pieces of legislation have been approved by the committee and now move to the full House of Representatives for further consideration. “These bills reflect thoughtful efforts to address critical issues facing our justice system and our communities,” Briggs said. “From ensuring fairness and dignity under the law to protecting public safety and encouraging people to act in emergencies, the committee’s work demonstrates a commitment to practical, compassionate policy.” House Bill 99 (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila.) and H.B. 888 (Sponsored by Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon) would abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania for defendants who have not yet been sentenced, aligning the Commonwealth with the 23 states that have already ended capital punishment and addressing longstanding concerns about wrongful convictions, high costs and its lack of effectiveness as a deterrent. “I appreciate my colleagues on this committee for standing up to injustice,” Rabb said. “The risks of continuing the death penalty in the Commonwealth far outweigh the benefits, of which there are few, if any. It is an ineffective crime deterrent that costs tremendous resources to uphold in Pennsylvania, and we have used it to end lives of those who turned out to be innocent. There Read more
HARRISBURG, April 27 – A $500,000 state grant was awarded to Upper Merion Township-based It Takes A Village To Feed One Child, a community organization working to address food insecurity and support at-risk populations across Pennsylvania, state Rep. Tim Briggs announced today. The funding, administered through the Commonwealth’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program, will support a new, integrated youth-enrichment initiative serving approximately 80 children annually in high-violence and high-poverty neighborhoods in Philadelphia. The program will provide coordinated, trauma-informed and prevention-focused services during after-school and summer hours – times when youth are at greater risk of exposure to violence. “It Takes A Village To Feed One Child is doing critical work that goes far beyond food distribution,” Briggs said. “By addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations, they are building stronger, safer communities. This investment in community-led solutions will have a lasting impact across the commonwealth.” It Takes A Village To Feed One Child provides more than 250,000 meals and snacks each month to more than 100 child, adult, and at-risk centers, with services that extend far beyond its local office, Briggs said. Through this initiative, community partners will deliver academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, mentorship, and conflict-resolution programming Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee Chairman Tim Briggs today announced that a broad package of public safety and justice reform legislation has been voted out of committee, marking a significant step forward for measures aimed at protecting vulnerable Pennsylvanians and strengthening the Commonwealth’s legal system. “Today’s votes show what’s possible when we focus on solutions that put people first,” Briggs said. “These bills reflect a shared commitment to protecting victims, supporting families, and ensuring our justice system is both fair and effective.” House Bill 72 (sponsored by state Rep. Lisa Borowski) would update the Landlord and Tenant Act to better support people experiencing domestic violence. Leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous time, and the last thing someone should have to worry about is whether they can safely stay in—or leave—their home. This bill would allow victims to break a lease early and change locks or other entry points so they can protect themselves and their families right away. Developed with input from advocacy groups, it is designed to give survivors clear, practical options at a time when safety matters most. House Bill 1104 (sponsored by state Rep. Leanne Krueger) would make it easier and more affordable for people to get their medical records in today’s digital world. Even though most records Read more
HARRISBURG, April 8 — Members of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Southeast Delegation today wrote to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to express their strong opposition to proposed gas and electric rate hikes by PECO, according to state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, the delegation chair. Read more
“Since the felony murder rule has been deemed unconstitutional by the court, we in the legislature must act, and the court has given us 120 days to consider appropriate remedial measures to halt the constitutional violations being experienced by the approximately 1,100 people serving life sentences under this rule. I am especially grateful that the court has made it clear that ‘offenders convicted of second-degree murder must receive a meaningful consideration of release, based upon their individual culpability and the circumstances surrounding their crime.’ Read more
HARRISBURG, March 23 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Tim Briggs that would require radon testing and mitigation in Pennsylvania schools has been approved by the PA House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee. House Bill 289 , which is a bipartisan bill co prime sponsored by state Rep. Jason Ortitay (R- Allegheny/Washington), now advances to the full House for consideration. “Ensuring the safety and health of students and school staff is a fundamental responsibility,” Briggs said. “H.B. 289 establishes clear standards for radon testing and mitigation in our schools, protecting communities across Pennsylvania. I am encouraged by the bipartisan support this bill received and look forward to continued progress in the full House.” Radon is a radioactive, colorless, and odorless gas that forms naturally from decaying radium in the soil and can enter buildings through cracks in foundations. Pennsylvania’s geology places residents at a higher risk of exposure, and the Radon in Schools Workgroup estimates that as many as two in five schools may have unhealthy radon levels. This invisible gas poses a serious long-term health risk, ranking just behind smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer nationwide. Damage can occur gradually and without obvious symptoms, even when concentrations are relatively low. The risk is heightened for children, whose bodies are still developing and Read more
HARRISBURG, March 10 – Today, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation aimed at strengthening civil rights protections, modernizing state law, and improving the fairness of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. “As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect both our shared values and the realities of today,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Tim Briggs. “These bills address longstanding gaps in our statutes, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure our justice system treats people fairly while keeping Pennsylvanians safe.” House Bill 300 (Sponsored by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta) — Also known as the Fairness Act, this legislation would update Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in areas such as housing, education and public accommodations. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. That’s not a slogan, that’s who we are at our best. And right now, with hundreds of bills across this country targeting LGBTQ+ Americans just for being who they are, we have a chance to prove it by again passing the Fairness Act with bipartisan support,” Kenyatta said. “In Pennsylvania, every single person deserves to be safe — no matter who you love or who you are.” House Bill 632 (Sponsored by Rep. Ben Waxman) Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 12– Legislation introduced by state Rep. Tim Briggs to strengthen Pennsylvania’s judicial system and shield Commonwealth agencies from burdensome federal litigation tactics was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro. House Bills 331 and 1934 are designed to improve the administration of justice, increase transparency and accountability, and ensure the responsible use of taxpayer resources. “Both bills tackle important challenges in our legal system,” Briggs said. “House Bill 331 enhances court operations and oversight of justice-related funding, while House Bill 1934 shields state agencies from unnecessary and costly legal burdens. Together, they promote fairness, efficiency, and accountability across the Commonwealth.” House Bill 331 (Act 1 of 2026) introduces targeted reforms to improve justice administration and oversight of judicial and legal aid funds. It includes three main provisions: Judicial training: Allows the court system to cover the $400 annual registration fee for special court judges. Court technology: Redirects local court fees to enhance statewide court technology, without reducing county funding, generating about $7.5 million through 2028. Access-to-justice funding transparency: Requires an independent audit of the Access to Justice Fund to verify proper use of funds and identify ways to expand legal services. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, chair of the PA House Judiciary Committee, announced today that five bills have been voted out of committee and will now advance to the full House for further consideration. The legislation addresses a wide range of issues, including workplace protections, cultural institution support, construction law, and estate planning. House Bill 603 , sponsored by state Rep. Mary Isaacson, would extend the time employees have to file complaints under the Whistleblower Law from 180 days to two years, would allow for jury trials, and would permit recovery of punitive damages in cases of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, or other harassment. House Bill 713 , sponsored by state Rep. Kristine Howard, would expand protections under Pennsylvania’s SLAPP law, which shields individuals from meritless lawsuits intended to intimidate or silence them for speaking out on matters of public concern. The bill specifically covers good-faith disclosures of sexual offenses, helping protect victims from costly defamation suits that often discourage reporting of sexual abuse or harassment. House Bill 1541 , sponsored by state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, would make it clear that contractors cannot be held responsible for mistakes or accidents caused by other parties. The bill also explains how insurance should cover additional people or companies involved in a project. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, to strengthen penalties for swatting incidents targeting school entities and institutions of higher education passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today and now heads to the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 1935 would increase penalties for anyone convicted of making fake emergency reports—commonly known as “swatting”—that target school entities and institutions of higher education. Specifically, the bill would require the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to provide for a sentencing enhancement in cases involving a terroristic threat against a school entity or an institution of higher education. It also allows judges to order restitution to cover the cost of emergency responses, supplies, equipment and overtime pay for first responders and affected employees. “Swatting is not a prank — it’s a dangerous and costly crime that puts lives at risk, wastes valuable resources, and causes real trauma,” Briggs said. “We saw this firsthand when a false report of an active shooter at Villanova University last year led to a massive police response. Dozens of public schools, colleges and universities across Pennsylvania have faced these types of threats, and it’s time to send a clear message that there will be serious consequences.” In August 2025, Villanova Read more
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