HB888

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.

Introduced·3/17/25
Introduced Text

Pennsylvania HB888 amends sentencing for murder, including unborn children and law enforcement officers, and modifies arson and property destruction.

Pennsylvania HB888 amends the state's criminal code to revise sentencing for murder, including first-degree murder of an unborn child and murder of a law enforcement officer. It mandates life imprisonment for these offenses. The bill also modifies arson and related offenses, specifying penalties. In the judicial process, it changes the jurisdiction of appellate courts, allowing the Supreme Court to review sentences of death. HB888 further revises post-trial matters by expanding the criteria for postconviction DNA testing and altering the procedure for sentencing in first-degree murder cases.

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  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
In committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

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10
4
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Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

House Judiciary: PN0960, Report Bill As Committed

14 Yea

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12 Nay

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Calendar

Apr 27

11:00 AM

Judiciary (h) Hearing

History

Apr 27

House

Reported as committed

Apr 27

House

First consideration

Apr 27

House

Laid on the table