HARRISBURG – The recently concluded two-year legislative session ended as a productive one for securing reforms to the justice system and increasing community protections, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) reports.
Due in part to her concerted advocacy and leadership, 17 bills were turned into law, with several others positioned for action in the new legislative session. Baker credited community consultation, bipartisan commitment, good faith negotiations and a concentration on steps that are practical, fair and enforceable for this level of legislative success.
“Issues in the arena of criminal justice reform face differing perspectives from emotional, philosophical and financial standpoints. It is easy to point out problems and attack the system,” Baker said. “It takes a great deal of effort to find a balance between addressing community concerns, giving those in the judiciary and law enforcement community the tools and latitude needed to pursue justice, and convincing taxpayers that the rising investment in criminal justice especially is showing results in community safety.”
Key Legislative Accomplishments
Strengthening the Guardianship System
“Guardianship is a meaningful way to provide protection and assistance for individuals no longer capable of handling their financial, legal and treatment circumstances. However, we have been alerted to cases where individuals have been victimized by guardians who are not properly trained or operating under sufficient supervision,” Baker said.
Act 61 of 2023 strengthens procedures and accountability to reduce the potential of fraud by:
- Requiring automatic legal counsel for individuals in guardianship proceedings.
- Promoting less restrictive alternatives to guardianship.
- Implementing mandatory training and screening for professional guardians.
With more than 19,000 active guardianships statewide, this law safeguards vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Closing Loopholes in Megan’s Law
Act 16 of 2024 extends Megan’s Law requirements to human traffickers, ensuring individuals convicted of certain offenses are subject to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender.
Streamlining Probation and Expanding Clean Slate
“Lengthy sentences, when disproportionate to the severity of the offenses, impose excessive costs on taxpayers. It is possible to hold individuals accountable and lessen sentences for non-violent crimes without sacrificing community safety,” said Baker. “We have struck this delicate balance with measures like our probation reform law and clean slate, which remove barriers to rehabilitation and offer a way out of criminal lifestyles for those who want to become productive citizens.”
Act 44 of 2023 introduces mandatory probation review conferences, allowing for early termination based on good conduct – such as educational or employment achievements – streamlining Pennsylvania’s probation system.
Act 36 of 2023 expands Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Clean Slate law by allowing nonviolent felony convictions to be sealed. Since June 2024, individuals with eligible offenses have gained new opportunities for housing, education and employment.
Improving Child Custody Protections
Kayden Mancuso was seven years old when her father brutally murdered her during a unsupervised visit ordered by the court, despite evidence of his prior abusive and violent behavior.
Act 8 of 2024 strengthens child custody laws by prioritizing children’s safety during custody disputes and updating the criteria courts must consider before custody of a child is awarded, including adding seven crimes to the list of offenses that must be taken into account when rendering judgement.
Reforming Juvenile Justice
Baker spearheaded two pieces of legislation aimed at overhauling Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system, implementing recommendations from the state’s Juvenile Justice Task Force.
Act 107 of 2024 requires quarterly disposition review hearings to ensure timely evaluations of juveniles’ needs, risks and readiness for release.
Act 108 of 2024 simplifies juvenile record expungement, reducing waiting periods for most misdemeanors from five years to two, promoting fairness and efficiency.
“These changes are designed to incorporate established methods for raising youth outcomes and addressing significant gaps in current practices,” Baker said. “By improving the law, we have taken important steps to give young people a true second chance.”
Extending PA One Call
For five decades, PA One Call has played a crucial role in preventing accidents and disruptions by ensuring underground utility lines are accurately marked and managed. Developed with input from a wide variety of industry stakeholders, Act 127 of 2024 extends the program through 2031, enhancing communication and safety protocols to protect workers and infrastructure.
Simplifying PA Trusts
Modifications to Pennsylvania’s trust laws will make our state more competitive by eliminating incentives for people to set up these accounts in other states.
Act 64 of 2024 streamlines directed trusts for beneficiaries by allowing trustees to share administrative powers with a trust director, reducing costs and simplifying account settlements.
Act 64 of 2023 updates the irrevocable grantor trust process by allowing the grantor to pay the income taxes so the trust’s beneficiaries are not negatively impacted.
Modernizing Professional Licenses
Today’s athletes are bigger, stronger and faster than ever before. The types of injuries experienced – such as concussions, fractures and dislocations – require expert care in the critical moments following the trauma to promote quicker recovery and prevent long-term damage.
Acts 83 and 84 of 2024 provide long-sought changes to the laws governing athletic trainers, aligning their scope of practice with current education and training standards and adding members of the performing arts and military, and recreationally active people to their list of patients.
With 23 accredited athletic training programs, including King’s College, Pennsylvania is home to the most in the nation. These updates will allow graduates to stay here to work rather than seeking employment in other states.
Act 32 of 2024 modernizes the licensure process for engineers, land surveyors and geologists by expanding options for work experience requirements and allowing distance learning courses to count towards continuing education.
“This session has laid the groundwork for meaningful progress, but our work is far from over,” said Baker. “As we look ahead to the next legislative session, I remain committed to reforms that improve accountability and to advancing policies to ensure our communities are safer, stronger and more prosperous for generations to come.”
CONTACT: Jennifer Wilson