Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility House Judiciary Committee advances bipartisan legal reform bills

House Judiciary Committee advances bipartisan legal reform bills

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 23, 2025 | 3:14 PM

HARRISBURG, June 23 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today announced that four bipartisan bills have been approved by the committee and are now headed to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

“These bills reflect the collaborative work of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to modernize and improve our judicial and legal systems,” Briggs said. “Each measure addresses a timely and important issue—from ensuring swift court action for incapacitated individuals, to bringing clarity to local law enforcement procedures, to strengthening constitutional protections in DUI cases, updating our laws to respond to the growing threat of digital deception, and protecting municipal employees who serve our communities.”

The following legislation was advanced with bipartisan support:

  • House Bill 18, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Olsommer, R-Pike/Wayne, would require courts to hold a hearing within 30 days of receiving a petition to modify or terminate a guardianship for an incapacitated individual. This ensures that individuals and families seeking to modify guardianships receive timely judicial consideration.
  • House Bill 1423, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Luzerne, would clarify that when there is a vacancy in the office of district attorney, the first assistant shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. While existing law provides guidance on who shall fill such vacancies, this bill resolves ongoing uncertainty about how long that person is authorized to serve.
  • House Bill 1615, jointly sponsored by Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin, and Briggs, would establish the Driving Under the Influence Treatment Program. This legislation provides critical constitutional safeguards to DUI sentencing practices following a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision. The new program mirrors aspects of ARD while emphasizing rehabilitation and public safety in cases of repeat DUI offenses.
  • House Bill 956, sponsored by Rep. Malcom Kenyatta, D-Phila., would add municipal employees to the group of protected individuals covered under enhanced assault protections. This legislation would provide the workers who keep communities running with the same safeguards against assault as other public servants in Pennsylvania. Due to the nature of public service work, these employees face a heightened risk of assault while on the job. Under current law, certain public servants are covered by increased protections against assault, with assailants facing harsher penalties for assault on these individuals. However, many municipal workers are not currently covered by these enhanced protections.
  • Senate Bill 649, sponsored by Sens. Tracy Pennycuik, R-Berks/Montgomery, and John Kane, D-Chester/Delaware, modernizes Pennsylvania’s forgery statute to account for the growing use of “deepfakes” and digital impersonation. The bill explicitly incorporates emerging technologies into the definition of criminal forgery, giving law enforcement the tools they need to prosecute modern forms of fraud.

“These bills are smart, responsive, and necessary reforms,” Briggs said. “I’m proud of the Judiciary Committee’s work in bringing them forward, and I look forward to advancing them through the legislative process.”

###rjb/2025/bfg
 

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