FYI by PLS » Senate Judiciary

Senate Judiciary Reports Out Castle Doctrine, Compromise Tort Reform Measure

Jason — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:02:31 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to consider a number of bills. All bills on the agenda were reported out of committee. Of note on the agenda were HB 40, also known as the Castle Doctrine and SB 1131, relating to the repeal of joint and several liability. Both bills received overwhelming bi-partisan support as they moved to the full Senate.

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more details.

Senate Judiciary Discusses Tort Reform

Jason — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:46:05 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing today to take testimony on SB 2 and SB 500, both relating to joint and several liability. The committee heard from four panels representing a full spectrum of views on the issue of tort reform.

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more details.

Senate Judiciary Committee Conducts Hearing on Evidence-based Programs

Jeff — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:39:41 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee conducted a public hearing on evidence-based programs to help reduce prison costs. Testimony was presented by Steve Aos, the Director of the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, outlining that state’s efforts in investing in delinquency prevention and intervention programs in order to reduce prison costs by over $600 million. Also testifying were Brian Bumbarger, Director of the Evidence-based Prevention & Intervention Center at Penn State University, and James Anderson, Executive Director of the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for full story.

Senate Judiciary Favorably Recommends Common Pleas Judge Nominees

Jason — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:29:04 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee favorably recommended James McMasters to be Judge for the Court of Common Pleas in Bucks County and Phillippe Melograne to be a Judge for the Court of Common Pleas in Washington County. Some senators expressed concerns over funding for the new judges.

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.

Senate Judiciary Moves Megan’s Law Updates, Judicial Nominee

Kim — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:16:16 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee met this morning to consider several bills and a judicial nomination. The nomination of Robert Freedberg as a judge on the Superior Court was unanimously moved forward. The committee considered several bills, all of which were moved forward unanimously with minimal discussion, except for SB 99 which would create a criminal penalty for negligent parents. The bill was amended and reported with Senators Earll and Gordner voting in the negative due to concerns that the bill would create a crime for poor parenting.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

Senate Judiciary Committee Hear About “Best Practices” in Juvenile Justice

Jeff — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:44:58 +0000

In the first of two scheduled public hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from experts on “best practices” in the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania. Among those presenting testimony was Judge John Cleland who chaired the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice. Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) said, “It is imperative that we get it right for those who come in contact with the system early in life when we can most effectively prevent them from becoming lifetime offenders that will cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars to detain.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Senate Judiciary Reports Out Resolution to Investigate Philadelphia Courts, Moves Other Bills

Jason — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:37:42 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a voting meeting this morning to consider three bills and a resolution. SB 1340 was reported as committed. SB 1360 was reported as amended. SR 344 was reported as committed and HB 264 was reported as amended. Check the Capitol Toolbox for all the details.

Senate Judiciary Tables Same Sex Marriage Bill, Favorably Reports Nomination of Luzerne Judges, Acts on Other Bills

Jason — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:40:38 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to consider a number of bills and act on three nominations. SB 707, Senator John Eichelberger’s (R-Blair) bill defining marriage as between a man and a woman, was tabled by an 8-6 vote. The nominations of Joseph Van Jura and Lewis Wetzel for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Luzerne County were favorably reported to the Rules Committee along with the nomination of John Tuttle to the Board of Probation and Parole. SBs 1198 and 1238 were reported as committed with SR 256. HB 1720 was reported as amended. The full story will be available later in the Capitol Toolbox.

Senate Judiciary – 11:30 a.m.

Jeff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:47:57 +0000

The committee reported out six bills. Reported as amended were: SB 1074 prohibiting the use of restraints on any prisoner or detainee known to be pregnant under certain circumstances; SB 1044 providing for drug redistribution within correctional facilities; SB 1169 requiring a defendant to pay costs; HB 1827 increasing the grading when bodily injury occurs as the result of the offense of trademark counterfeiting and making various other changes relating to trademark counterfeiting; and HB 1332 providing for confidential communications between a critical incident stress management team member and law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders and correction officers. The committee reported as committed SB 1193 authorizing county courts of common pleas to establish a program to impose immediate sanctions on offenders who violate their probation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House and Senate Judiciary Receive Grading Report

Eric — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:33:55 +0000

The House and Senate Judiciary Committees held a joint hearing to receive a report on offense grading in Pennsylvania. The Criminal Law Research Group of theÂ UniversityÂ of Pennsylvania Law School submitted the report highlighting numerous inconsistencies in the grading of offences in the state. The report also detailed how the current grading system is out of touch with what Pennsylvanians believe should be the punishments for numerous offenses. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.