The proposed bill amends Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding a new chapter, Chapter 51, which addresses the issue of solitary confinement in correctional institutions. The bill defines "solitary confinement" as the isolation of an inmate for approximately 20 hours or more per day with severely restricted activity and social interaction. Importantly, the bill prohibits the placement of any inmate in solitary confinement and mandates that correctional facilities implement alternative disciplinary measures instead.

These alternative measures may include limiting contact visits, restricting visitors to immediate family, loss of work opportunities, and assigning additional unpaid work duties for a maximum of 14 days. Other alternatives include temporary loss of privileges such as telephone, entertainment, yard time, and commissary access, as well as confining an inmate to their own cell within the general population area or issuing a reprimand or warning. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.