Author: kgordon

HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation sponsored by Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20), Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Anthony Williams (D-8) that would reform Pennsylvania’s probation system to give people a better pathway out of the criminal justice system.

“We’ve passed laws in recent years offering individuals a second chance – better enabling them to find a place to live, access education or training if that is needed, and have a fair shot at employment,” Baker said, who chairs the committee. “However, we will not fully realize the benefits of these improvements if we do not eliminate the issues that exist in probation.”

Senate Bill 838 would establish a mandatory probation review conference for probationers, providing criteria for when they occur and a presumption that probation will be terminated unless the individual does not qualify. It would also allow the review conference to occur earlier based on the good conduct of defendants by achieving certain educational, employment or other goals. A provision to allow for the waiving of the mandatory review conference in cases where all stakeholders agree it is unnecessary is also included.

“Our bill is designed to implement greater fairness, eliminate excessive incarceration, give individuals a more reliable second chance to get their lives right and offer taxpayers a break from ever-rising state correctional costs,” Bartolotta said.

Senate Bill 838 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

“My colleagues and I continuously worked, day after day, to get us to this point today. I appreciate the hard work of everyone involved. I am thrilled for the thousands of Pennsylvanians on probation who will see a positive change once this bill becomes law,” Williams said.

Click here to view the committee meeting.

CONTACTS:
Cara Laudenslager (Baker)
Katrina Hanna (Bartolotta)
Sabrina Hall (Williams)

 HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), is holding a confirmation hearing and voting meeting tomorrow, June 22, at 10 a.m., in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building, Capitol Complex, Harrisburg.

The following nominations will be considered:

• Dr. Laurel Harry, secretary, Department of Corrections;
• Michael Piecuch, Esq., judge, Court of Common Pleas, Snyder and Union counties; and
• Michael P. Toomey, Esq., judge, Court of Common Pleas, Northumberland County.

The following bills will be considered:

• Senate Bill 815 (Baker) – Provides that the grantor of a trust who is treated as the owner of the trust pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, shall be obligated to pay the appropriate Pennsylvania income taxes.
• Senate Bill 838 (Baker) – Establishes probation review conferences and limits on total confinement for technical violations.

Livestream will be available at pasenategop.com/watch/. 

CONTACT:
Cara Laudenslager

HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), held a voting meeting today to advance three bills strengthening guardianship law, addressing the increase of package thefts and protecting individuals from the unauthorized use of electronic tracking devices.

When an adult of any age is deemed incapacitated by a court, a guardian may be appointed to become responsible for making certain decisions on their behalf, including financial, medical, and personal matters. Senate Bill 506, sponsored by Baker and Sen. Art Haywood (D-4), provides alternatives to appointed guardianships.

“Guardianship can be an essential and effective means for safeguarding the interests of people who suffer some incapacity, impairing their ability to make responsible decisions for themselves,” Baker said. “Some weaknesses in the system have become apparent, and some sad cases of financial exploitation make reform of the system imperative. This bill will ensure greater accountability in our state’s guardianship system.”

The committee also advanced Senate Bill 527, which addresses the growing rise in “porch pirating.” The bill creates a new crime, theft of mail, and implements specific penalties for repeat offenders.

“We must give constant attention to making sure that emerging forms of criminal activity can be prosecuted and penalized. With the growth in online shopping, the crime of porch pirating has quickly spread,” Baker said.

The final bill to be voted was Senate Bill 159, which will protect individuals from the unauthorized use of an electronic tracking device.

“Electronic tracking devices have long been useful tools in our criminal justice system. As technology has advanced, lower-cost products have been designed for other helpful personal purposes, but this comes with a downside,” Baker said. “Individuals with malicious intent can use these same convenience items for illegitimate purposes. State law must be updated to clearly define the offense so that lawbreakers can be charged.”

Watch the full committee meeting here.

CONTACT:
Cara Laudenslager

HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), is holding a voting meeting on tomorrow, June 6, at 11:30 a.m., in Room 8E-B, East Wing of the Capitol Complex, Harrisburg.

The following bills will be considered:

• Senate Bill 527,  P.N. 504 (Farry) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by adding and defining “theft of mail” as an offense and provides related grading of the offense.
• Senate Bill 159,  P.N. 131 (Langerholc) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by adding “unauthorized use of an electronic tracking device” as an offense and providing for penalties.
• Senate Bill 506,  P.N. 398 (Baker) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to update requirements related to alleged incapacitated persons and appointed guardians. 

Livestream will be available at pasenategop.com/watch/. 

CONTACT:
Cara Laudenslager