Session schedule
Senate
April 20, 21, 22
May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
House
April 20, 21, 22
May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Bills moving
Use Of DNA: Senate Bill 683 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) relating to the use of DNA in criminal cases (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.
The legislation will:
— Require post-arrest DNA samples from those arrested for serious offenses;
— Explicitly prohibit DNA samples from being used for anything other than legitimate law enforcement identification purposes;
— Establish an expungement process for the DNA records of exonerated individuals;
— Codify accreditation requirements for forensic DNA testing laboratories;
— Require continuing education for forensic DNA testing personnel; and
— Authorize the State Police to use modified DNA searches to help investigators identify unknown DNA profiles taken at crime scenes.
Disposition Of Abandoned Contraband: Senate Bill 533 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) relating to the disposition of abandoned contraband was reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.
College Campus Crime Reporting: Senate Bill 202 (Schwank-D-Berks) relating to reporting crimes on college campuses (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.
Incarcerated Parents: Senate Bill 163 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) relating to children of incarcerated parents (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.
Bill introduced
Establishing Veterans’ Courts: House Bill 887 (Bizzarro-D-Erie) and Senate Bill 517 (Teplitz-D-Dauphin) establishing veterans’ courts statewide (sponsor summary).
Public hearings
April 21– House Judiciary Committee meets to consider House Bill 124 (Delozier-R- Cumberland) further providing for protection from child abuse (sponsor summary), House Bill 410 (Hackett-R-Delaware) further providing for child custody in cases of rape (sponsor summary). Room 140. 10 a.m.
April 29– House Judiciary and Health Committees hold a joint hearing on medical cannabis protocols in other states. Allegheny County Courthouse, Pittsburgh. 10 a.m.
(Source: Crisci Associates PA Capitol Digest)
Pennsylvania Commission on Judicial Independence marks 10th anniversary
May 30 is deadline to comment on proposed new Appellate Rule on citation of authorities
Click for report and text of proposed Rule
May 29 is deadline to comment on proposed amendments to Criminal Rule on forfeiture of collateral for restitution in summary cases
Click for report and text of proposed amendments
Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association releases friend of the court brief in challenge to death penalty moratorium
Click for report from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Written by Aaron Finestone
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