Rabb issues statement on Judiciary Committee votes
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb May 5, 2026 | 1:05 PM
HARRISBURG, May 5 -- State Rep. Chris Rabb made the following statements on H.B.s 910 and 2443 during the May 4 meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, following a “no” vote on both bills.
On H.B. 910, Rabb said the following:
“As a descendant of Black women, men and children legally bought and sold under the imprimatur of state law, my opposition to human trafficking is unwavering. So, it goes without saying that no child should ever be bought, sold or traded -- and Pennsylvania law already treats that conduct as a serious felony. However, what H.B. 910 actually does is blur the line between organized exploitation and the desperate, often heartbreaking choices made by vulnerable parents, risking felony charges against people who need support, not a prison sentence. We can protect children without criminalizing poverty and desperation, and that’s exactly why I could not in good conscience support the current version of the bill in committee.”
On H.B. 2443, Rabb said the following:
“Yesterday, I voted no on H.B. 2443 in committee because I refuse to build a house on sand. Child victims deserve our full commitment -- and full commitment means funding that actually works. This bill funds a child welfare program that may never materialize. Fines and fees have chronically low collection rates because many people simply can’t pay. Worse, the fund’s existence becomes dependent on continued criminal legal system involvement, creating a perverse financial incentive to lock up more people. I am prepared to file an amendment to this bill so that when it comes up for a floor vote, I can vote for it, given my strong support for this legislation’s underlying goal.”