The bill amends Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically Section 1102, which pertains to sentencing for murder, including the murder of an unborn child and the murder of a law enforcement officer. A new subsection (b.1) is added to establish guidelines 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 intimidation of witnesses or victims.

Additionally, the new subsection specifies that the parole eligibility 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 regarding murder. This bill aims to provide a pathway for parole consideration for certain second-degree murder convictions 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