Rabb introduces bill to end charging children as adults

Legislation to repeal direct file law, reform the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania

Rep. Christopher M. Rabb May 22, 2025 | 5:02 PM

HARRISBURG, May 22 – State Rep. Chris Rabb introduced legislation today that would end the practice of charging children as adults in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system.

“Children are children—they should never be charged as adults in our justice system, even if they have done something horrible,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “Research has shown that young people tried as adults have higher rates of recidivism than those who remain in the juvenile system. We cannot continue this cruel, unnecessary punishment that forces children into the adult prison system.”

Rabb said the legislation aims to protect and rehabilitate young Pennsylvanians by repealing the direct file law so that youth can be tried as youth and given the resources they need to avoid a lifetime in the criminal legal system. It goes further by requiring that all children be treated as children and never prosecuted as adults.

House Bill 1383 is part of the CARE Package for juvenile justice unveiled by six PA House Democrats earlier this year.

“We know there are fundamental design problems with how Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system is set up to handle children,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “These bills are targeted to address those specific issues. This package of legislation is all about creating a justice system that allows kids greater opportunities to escape the cycle of recidivism and lead fulfilling and impactful lives.”