This bill amends various sections of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes regarding the sentencing of individuals under the age of 18 convicted of serious crimes, including first and second-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, and murder of a law enforcement officer. Key changes include the establishment of specific sentencing guidelines for these offenses, where individuals aged 15 or older convicted of first-degree murder will face life imprisonment without parole or a minimum of 35 years for the murder of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, those under 15 will face a minimum of 25 years for the same offense. The bill also modifies the criteria for parole eligibility, stipulating that individuals sentenced for certain violent crimes must serve a minimum of 25 years before being considered for parole.

Furthermore, the bill introduces the Life with Parole Reinvestment Fund, which will be funded by savings from reduced prison populations due to the paroling of offenders previously sentenced to life without parole. This fund will support victim services, offender reentry programs, and the supervision of certain paroled offenders. The bill also clarifies that the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole will have specific guidelines for parole eligibility, particularly for those convicted of murdering law enforcement officers, who will not be eligible for parole. Overall, the legislation aims to reform sentencing practices for juvenile offenders while ensuring public safety and supporting victim services.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 135 (Feb 03, 2025): 18-1102.1(a), 18-1)
Printer's No. 0135: 18-1102.1(a), 18-1)