Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Madden releases statement on H.B. 1042, landmark sentencing legislation in response to Pa Supreme Court decision, Commonwealth V. Lee

Madden releases statement on H.B. 1042, landmark sentencing legislation in response to Pa Supreme Court decision, Commonwealth V. Lee

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    July 27, 2026 | 12:16 PM

State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, today released the following statement regarding H.B. 1042:

“Why did the House take up H.B. 1042?

“The answer begins with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In Commonwealth v. Lee, the court exposed a gap in Pennsylvania law that only the General Assembly has the constitutional authority to address. In fact, H.B. 1042 expressly states that one of its purposes is to remedy the court’s decision.

“When our highest court identifies an area where our statutes are inadequate, it is our responsibility as legislators to do our jobs. That’s exactly what the House did. We debated the legislation, amended it and passed a comprehensive bill that establishes a clear statutory framework where one was needed.

“Reasonable people can disagree about individual provisions of H.B. 1042. That’s part of the legislative process. But choosing not to engage with the issue would leave Pennsylvania without the clarity our courts, victims, defendants and communities deserve.

“The House fulfilled its constitutional responsibility by acting. Now, it is incumbent upon the Senate to do the same. The people of Pennsylvania deserve a complete legislative process, not inaction when our laws require clarification.

“Leadership isn’t about avoiding difficult decisions because they’re politically inconvenient. Leadership is about confronting difficult issues, listening to differing viewpoints, weighing the facts and doing the work the people elected us to do.

“That’s what my House Democratic colleagues and I did. We took up a difficult issue, debated it openly, made a difficult decision and voted. Whether people agree with every provision of H.B. 1042 or not, I believe Pennsylvanians deserve legislators who are willing to lead, not avoid the hard work of governing.”

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CONTACT: Molly Peters
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: mpeters@pahouse.net