Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Briggs announces House Judiciary Committee approval of bills to support vulnerable Pennsylvanians, strengthen public safety

Briggs announces House Judiciary Committee approval of bills to support vulnerable Pennsylvanians, strengthen public safety

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 2, 2025 | 4:33 PM

HARRISBURG, June 2 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, majority chair of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, announced today that six bills have been approved by the committee and sent to the full House for further consideration.

These measures aim to increase access to justice, protect vulnerable populations, enhance public safety, and support crime victims across the Commonwealth.

“These bills reflect the Judiciary Committee’s ongoing commitment to fairness, protection and public safety,” Briggs said. “From improving legal aid access to helping law enforcement solve violent crimes, we are taking meaningful steps to strengthen our justice system.”

The following bills were approved:

  • House Bill 331 (Briggs): Expands existing civil legal aid funding by allowing an existing $2 court filing fee—currently excluded from traffic citations—to be applied to those citations, generating stable revenue for legal services without raising costs.
  • House Bill 808 (Rep. Roman Kozak): Eliminates the statute of limitations for certain violent crimes—such as rape and assault—committed against nonverbal care-dependent adults, ensuring justice is never out of reach for these vulnerable individuals.
  • House Bill 1412 (Reps. Melissa Shusterman and Liz Hanbidge): Requires a material change in circumstances to request a child custody modification, while still allowing courts to act in the best interest of the child when necessary.
  • House Bill 1344 (Rep. Mike Armanini): Directs the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission to create training standards for police canines to detect fentanyl while minimizing exposure risks to dogs and handlers.
  • House Bill 994 (Rep. Leanne Krueger): Bans the sale or possession for sale of products made from at-risk animal species, with specific exemptions, to protect biodiversity and combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
  • House Bill 1511 (Briggs and Rep. Joe Kerwin): The VICTIM Act will increase clearance rates for violent crimes by equipping law enforcement with investigative tools and resources to solve homicides and serious offenses more effectively.

“These legislative actions are about protecting lives, upholding justice, and ensuring no community is left behind,” Briggs said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the full House to move these important bills forward.”

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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net