The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 2255, relating to expert witnesses in rape trials. All who testified supported the legislation as a means to fully explain to the jury the misconceptions juries often have as to the actions of rape victims. Victims of rape testified, along with law enforcement officials and advocacy groups. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the full story.
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Posted by Jason | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee held an informational meeting on HB 2629 and SR 369, relating to the Pennsylvania Blue Alert System for seriously injured or killed law enforcement officers. Members of the Pennsylvania State Police testified along with representatives of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. Issues raised by the state police concerned the name of the alert and allowing for greater discretion when the alert is to be issued so as not to create a public numbness to alerts. All advocates generally supported the legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more. Posted by Jason | Tags: Pennsylvania State Police | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing to discuss SB 628, regarding the procedure for determining mental retardation in capital cases. Members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association testified followed by the Attorney General’s Office, the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police who testified in opposition to the bill. The Arc of Pennsylvania and a professor from the University of New Mexico School of Law testified in favor of the legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more. Posted by Jason | Tags: community mental health/mental retardation, death penalty | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee conducted a meeting with stakeholders regarding SB 1161 which amends Title 61 (Penal and Correctional Institutions) to provide for the release and parole of inmates serving short minimum sentences. Participants included Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Beard and representatives from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Parole | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee held an informal workshop to discuss issues concerning magistiral district judges. The issue gaining the most attention was the funding of magisterial district judges and how to avert a funding crisis Chairman Caltagirone predicts will hit in Spring 2011. Also discussed was the efficacy and constitutionality of allowing magisterial district judges to file petitions for retention, rather than having to stand for re-election. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason | Tags: Magisterial District Judges | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 1996, which would establish racial equality in capital sentences. Members heard from many stakeholders regarding the issue, all generally expressing support for the legislation. Some members, however, expressed concern over the real world need for the legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason | Tags: death penalty | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee met today to cover a wide range of bills. It was announced that HB 2600 (firearms) would be held until tomorrow during House recess. HB 65 (dealing with detectives) was amended and then passed while HB 2464 (further providing for sexual abuse of children) was reported as committed. After a great deal of discussion on SB 1161, dealing with pre-release of low risk offenders, the committee ultimately held the bill for more work. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. The House Judiciary Committee held an informational meeting with representatives of the Pennsylvania Prison Society to discuss what the society has learned from community forums and how Pennsylvania can better treat inmates with addiction problems. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full write-up. Posted by Jason | Tags: Addiction, prisons | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee held an informational meeting with John Heaton, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons to discuss the board’s budgetary concerns. The bulk of the discussion centered on how Act 134 of 2008 has lowered the number of applications to the board and, further, how staff reductions have reduced the number of hearings held each year. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason | Tags: Board of Pardons, Budget | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee met today to consider a number of bills. HB 40, dealing with the Castle Doctrine was reported as amended. HBs 1043, 1044, and 1045 failed. HB 1926 was reported as amended while HBs 907 and 2489 were reported as committed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more. Posted by Jason | Tags: assault rifles, castle doctrine, death penalty, gun control, self defense, sexual violence | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Judiciary | Comments are closed | Share:
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