This bill amends Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically addressing the sentencing for murder, murder of an unborn child, and murder of a law enforcement officer. A new subsection (b.1) is added to Section 1102, which establishes criteria for reconsideration of sentences for individuals convicted of second-degree murder. Under this new provision, individuals may be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of their sentence, provided they have no felony convictions in the prior 25 years and no pending felony charges. However, this eligibility does not apply to certain serious offenses, including those related to assault by life prisoners, arson, and witness intimidation.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the eligibility for parole only applies to individuals who were not the principal actors in the commission of the second-degree murder. The term "principal" is defined in accordance with existing law. This legislative change aims to provide a pathway for parole consideration for certain offenders while maintaining strict limitations to ensure public safety. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2150 (Jul 17, 2025): 18-1102