Judiciary Committee advances cornucopia of bills
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus November 13, 2025 | 9:43 AM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 13 – The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday advanced a series of bipartisan measures aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s justice system, protecting victims of abuse, and expanding tools available to law enforcement and prosecutors.
Committee Chair Tim Briggs said the bills represented “a strong step forward in ensuring that our laws meet the real needs of Pennsylvanians—whether that’s improving safety, supporting victims, or providing opportunities for accountability and rehabilitation.
“We’re giving prosecutors and law enforcement more tools in the toolbox to keep our communities safe, while also making sure courts have the flexibility to address complex issues like addiction and mental health.”
The committee voted to move the following legislation to the full House for consideration:
H.B. 384 (Rep. Jason Ortitay): Helps individuals who violate the casino or video gaming terminal self-exclusion list by providing courts with discretion to refer them for gambling treatment rather than only imposing penalties.
H.B. 458 (Rep. Carol Hill-Evans): Allows veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury after incarceration to present those conditions as mitigating factors in post-conviction proceedings.
H.B. 490 (Rep. Ben Waxman): Expands Pennsylvania’s media shield law to protect journalists from being compelled to disclose any documents, information or records gathered in the course of their reporting.
H.B. 886 (Rep. Joe Webster): Ensures incarcerated veterans receive a comprehensive “veterans benefits briefing” before release to help them reintegrate and access available state and federal benefits.
H.B. 1385 (Reps. Emily Kinkead, Dan Miller, Rick Krajewski, Chris Rabb): Ends most fines and fees for juveniles in the justice system, while prioritizing restitution for victims.
"House Bill 1385 would make our juvenile justice system fairer, more compassionate and more effective at helping our youth succeed," Kinkead said. "It is not justice to trap a child in the system merely because they are too poor to pay the fines and court fees imposed. H.B. 1385 would help center rehabilitation as the goal of our juvenile justice system - as it always should have been."
H.B. 1432 (Rep. Sheryl Delozier): Expands the definition of abuse under the Protection from Abuse Act to include conduct causing substantial emotional distress, aligning state law with Pennsylvania’s stalking statute.
H.B. 1476 (Reps. Natalie Mihalek, Kristin Marcell, Shelby Labs, Abby Major, Kathleen Tomlinson): Extends Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act coverage to adult victims of stalking and harassment.
H.B. 1479 (Marcell, Labs, Major, Mihalek, Tomlinson): Authorizes judges to include restrictions on social media use in Protection from Abuse orders to prevent stalking and harassment online.
H.B. 1891 (Rep. Anthony Bellmon): Requires firearm dealers to electronically submit records of sale to the Pennsylvania State Police to improve the speed and accuracy of gun crime tracing.
H.B. 1908 (Reps. Nate Davidson, Justin Fleming, Kinkead): Implements stronger penalties and mandatory reporting for repeat Protection from Abuse violators.
H.B. 1909 (Davidson): Elevates the grading of crimes committed while under PFA violation by one degree, up to a third-degree felony.
H.B. 1935 (Briggs): Creates sentencing enhancements for false threats — or “swatting” — made against schools or colleges, helping law enforcement deter such disruptive and dangerous conduct.
“The swatting incidents we’ve seen across Pennsylvania have terrified students, staff and families,” Briggs said. “By enhancing penalties, we’re sending a clear message that this behavior will be met with serious consequences.”
S.B. 418 (Sen. Lisa Baker): Clarifies district attorney succession law and explicitly ensures that first assistants fill vacancies for the remainder of an unexpired term.
H.R. 58 (Rep. Carol Kazeem): Urges Congress to pass a Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
H.R. 240 (Marcell, Labs, Major, Mihalek, Tomlinson): Recognizes January 2026 as “Stalking Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.
“These measures show the House Judiciary Committee’s continued commitment to bipartisan progress,” Briggs said. “From veterans and journalists to victims and law enforcement, we’re working together to create a fairer, safer Pennsylvania.”
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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net
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