The bill amends Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by repealing Section 9777, which previously governed the transfer of inmates requiring medical treatment to hospitals or long-term care facilities. This section included provisions for court petitions for temporary deferral of confinement for seriously or terminally ill inmates, along with requirements for electronic monitoring and notifications. The repeal eliminates these specific procedures from the law.

In its place, the bill introduces a new Section 9778, which allows courts to modify an inmate's term of imprisonment due to illness, extraordinary family hardship, or significantly diminished functioning from serious health conditions. The new provisions establish notification requirements for victims regarding their rights to respond to modification petitions and outline the responsibilities of correctional facilities to inform family members about an inmate's health status. The bill also mandates that correctional facilities post information about inmates' rights to petition for sentence modifications and sets forth judicial procedures for handling these petitions, including timelines and considerations for court decisions. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Corrections to report annually on the petitions filed, granted, or denied, and defines key terms related to inmate health conditions. The act will take effect 60 days after passage and applies to individuals sentenced before, on, or after the effective date.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1386 (Apr 17, 2025): 42-9777, P.L.882, No.111
Printer's No. 2066 (Jul 01, 2025): 42-9777, P.L.882, No.111
Printer's No. 1386: 42-9777, P.L.882, No.111