The bill amends Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to incorporate restorative justice as a sentencing option within the judicial system. Specifically, it adds a new paragraph to Section 9721(a), allowing courts to consider "restorative justice" as one of the alternatives when determining a sentence. Additionally, a new section, 9726.1, is introduced, which outlines the conditions under which restorative justice can be applied. Courts may impose restorative justice as an exclusive sentence if deemed appropriate based on the crime and the defendant's history, or as an additional sentence alongside other forms of punishment.

The bill also provides definitions for key terms related to restorative justice, such as "Circle," "Conference," and "Facilitator," which describe various practices and roles involved in the restorative process. The intent of these provisions is to create a framework for addressing crime that emphasizes repairing harm, addressing trauma, and strengthening community ties through participatory processes. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2040 (Jun 26, 2025): 42-9721(a)