Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Judiciary Committee votes in favor of bills with bipartisan support

Judiciary Committee votes in favor of bills with bipartisan support

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – Today, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance three important bills that are now under consideration by the full House. The bills, supported by legislators from both parties, seek to improve the criminal justice system, strengthen safety and simplify family law processes.

Committee Chair Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, said, “The committee’s bipartisan support for these bills demonstrates our shared commitment to making necessary improvements to our laws, ensuring fairness, safety and efficiency across Pennsylvania. These bills are now on their way to the full House, where we will continue to work together for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.”

The following bills were voted out of committee:

House Bill 36, sponsored by state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, would permit law enforcement officers working under the Pennsylvania Office of the State Inspector General to carry weapons while performing their duties. The legislation aims to enhance the safety of officers, who often face dangerous situations while fighting fraud, waste, misconduct and abuse in state programs and government agencies.

House Bill 166, sponsored by state Reps. Tim Bonner, R-Mercer, and Tarik Khan, D-Phila., would ensure that Pennsylvania’s death penalty statute meets the highest standard of proof before a jury can impose such a penalty. It would require the Commonwealth to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating factors before the death penalty can be considered.

House Bill 378, sponsored by state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, would streamline the child custody process in Pennsylvania by reducing the number of factors judges must consider from 16 to 12. By incorporating recommendations from the Joint State Government Commission Task Force on Domestic Relations Law, it aims to make custody decisions more straightforward and efficient, ultimately benefiting families and the courts.

“The current 16 factors used by judges in making child custody determinations have redundancies and lack clarity, leading to confusion among families, attorneys and even judges.” Hanbidge said. “House Bill 378 seeks to modernize these factors to provide clarity, uniformity and judicial efficiency, creating more manageable criteria for families navigating the legal system while building upon the vital protections for children enacted under Kayden’s Law."

"These bills reflect the hard work and dedication of my colleagues, and we are moving forward with a strong commitment to positive change," Briggs said. "I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my fellow legislators as we bring these important measures before the entire House for further discussion."

Briggs represents the 149th Legislative District, which is comprised of Bridgeport, West Conshohocken, Upper Merion and parts of Lower Merion in Montgomery County.

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