Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 14 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 1855 — An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.

Last action — Removed from table

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

60 added · 65 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill HB 1855 clarify the language regarding parole eligibility for inmates. Specifically, it now states that a person convicted of a violent offense or obstruction of justice while incarcerated must wait a specified period after their minimum prison term before they can be considered for parole. This change is significant because it emphasizes accountability for inmates who commit further offenses while serving their sentences, aiming to ensure that those who pose a greater risk to society remain incarcerated longer.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
2558 PRINTER'S NO.
2558 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
2921 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
1855 2019 INTRODUCED BY BERNSTINE, SAINATO, KAUFFMAN, STEPHENS, SNYDER, MILLARD, MOUL, DeLUCA, ZABEL, KEEFER, READSHAW, POLINCHOCK, KAIL, JONES, MARSHALL, KORTZ, ROEBUCK, MUSTELLO, WHEELAND, ROTHMAN, ORTITAY, SCHMITT, IRVIN, PICKETT, HELM, JOZWIAK, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 GLEIM, EVERETT, BURNS AND TOOHIL, REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 AN ACT Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.
1855 2019 INTRODUCED BY BERNSTINE, SAINATO, KAUFFMAN, STEPHENS, SNYDER, MILLARD, MOUL, DeLUCA, ZABEL, KEEFER, READSHAW, POLINCHOCK, KAIL, JONES, MARSHALL, KORTZ, ROEBUCK, MUSTELLO, WHEELAND, ROTHMAN, ORTITAY, SCHMITT, IRVIN, PICKETT, HELM, JOZWIAK, GILLESPIE, BARRAR, GLEIM, EVERETT, BURNS, TOOHIL, GILLEN AND NESBIT, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 19, 2019 AN ACT AmeConsolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.
* * * (f.1) Violent offenses while incarcerated.--The board may not release on parole an inmate who commits a violent offense <-- while incarcerated A PERSON CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT OFFENSE <-- COMMITTED WHILE INCARCERATED for at least 24 months following the expiration of the minimum term of imprisonment fixed by the court or by the Board of Pardons in a sentence which has been reduced by commutation or 24 months following the conviction, whichever is longer.
* * * (f.1) Violent offenses while incarcerated.--The board may not release on parole an inmate who commits a violent offense while incarcerated for at least 24 months following the expiration of the minimum term of imprisonment fixed by the court or by the Board of Pardons in a sentence which has been reduced by commutation or 24 months following the conviction, whichever is longer.
(f.2) Obstruction of justice offenses while incarcerated.-- The board may not release on parole an inmate who commits an A <-- PERSON CONVICTED OF AN obstruction of justice offense COMMITTED <-- while incarcerated for at least 12 months following the expiration of the minimum term of imprisonment fixed by the court or by the Board of Pardons in a sentence which has been reduced by commutation or 12 months following the conviction, whichever is longer.
(f.2) Obstruction of justice offenses while incarcerated.-- The board may not release on parole an inmate who commits an obstruction of justice offense while incarcerated for at least 12 months following the expiration of the minimum term of imprisonment fixed by the court or by the Board of Pardons in a sentence which has been reduced by commutation or 12 months following the conviction, whichever is longer.
20190HB1855PN2921 - 2 - Section 5123 (relating to contraband).
Section 5123 (relating to contraband).
Section 2501 (relating to criminal homicide).
20190HB1855PN2558 - 2 - Section 2501 (relating to criminal homicide).
20190HB1855PN2921 - 3 -
20190HB1855PN2558 - 3 -
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Amendments

3 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Removed from table

  2. Laid on the table

  3. First consideration

  4. PN 4022 Reported as amended

  5. Referred to JUDICIARY

  6. Third consideration and final passage

  7. Re-reported as committed

  8. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS

  9. PN 3055 Second consideration, with amendments

  10. Removed from table

  11. Laid on the table

  12. First consideration

  13. PN 2921 Reported as amended

  14. PN 2558 Referred to JUDICIARY

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 35 co-sponsors · 217 not signed on · 33 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (35)

Not signed on (217)

217 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 217 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Committee vote (JUDICIARY): Reported as Amended

Passed 14 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 6000
Democratic 3000
Unaffiliated 5000
Total 14000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (14)
Member Party Vote
FARNESE — Yea
GORDNER — Yea
REGAN — Yea
SABATINA — Yea
SCARNATI — Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 149 Yea · 47 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 702004
Republican 53002
Democratic 262700
Total 1494706
% of votes cast 74%23%0%3%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
PEIFER — Yea
POLINCHOCK — Yea
PUSKARIC — Yea
PYLE — Yea
QUINN — Yea
REESE — Yea
RYAN — Yea
SANKEY — Yea
SAYLOR — Yea
SCHROEDER — Yea
SIMMONS — Not Voting
SONNEY — Yea
STEPHENS — Yea
THOMAS — Yea
TOBASH — Yea
TOEPEL — Yea
TOOHIL — Yea
WHEELAND — Yea
KIRKLAND — Nay
KORTZ — Yea
LEE — Nay
LONGIETTI — Yea
MCCARTER — Nay
MULLERY — Yea
PETRARCA — Yea
RAVENSTAHL — Nay
READSHAW — Yea
ROEBUCK — Nay
SAINATO — Yea
SIMS — Nay
SNYDER — Yea
STURLA — Yea
ULLMAN — Yea
WHEATLEY — Nay
WILLIAMS — Nay
YOUNGBLOOD — Nay
TURZAI — Yea
BARRAR — Yea
BOBACK — Yea
BROWN — Yea
COX — Yea
DIGIROLAMO — Yea
DOWLING — Yea
EVERETT — Yea
GABLER — Yea
GILLESPIE — Yea
HAHN — Yea
HELM — Yea
HENNESSEY — Yea
HERSHEY — Yea
HICKERNELL — Yea
JONES — Yea
KELLER — Yea
KNOWLES — Yea
LEWIS — Yea
MACKENZIE — Yea
MASSER — Yea
METCALFE — Yea
MILLARD — Yea
MIZGORSKI — Not Voting
MURT — Yea
NELSON — Yea
NESBIT — Yea
CALTAGIRONE — Yea
CRUZ — Not Voting
DELISSIO — Nay
DELUCA — Yea
DERMODY — Nay
DONATUCCI — Not Voting
DRISCOLL — Yea
EVANS — Yea
FITZGERALD — Nay
GAINEY — Nay
GALLOWAY — Yea
GOODMAN — Yea
HARRIS — Nay
Aaron Kaufer — Yea
Barry Jozwiak — Yea
DAVIS, A — Nay
Dan Miller — Nay
Donna Bullock — Nay
Donna Oberlander — Yea
George Dunbar — Yea
Jim Gregory — Yea
Jim Marshall — Yea
Kevin Boyle — Nay
Louis Schmitt — Yea
Mark Rozzi — Yea
Mike Zabel — Yea
Paul Schemel — Yea
Sara Innamorato — Nay
Seth Grove — Yea
Stephen Kinsey — Nay
Torren Ecker — Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Nay
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Nay
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Nay
Dan Frankel Democratic Nay
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Nay
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Nay
Danilo Burgos Democratic Nay
David M. Delloso Democratic Nay
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Nay
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Nay
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Nay
Jason Dawkins Democratic Nay
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Nay
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Nay
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Nay
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Nay
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Nay
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Nay
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Nay
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Nay
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Nay
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Nay
Morgan Cephas Democratic Nay
Nathan Davidson Democratic Nay
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Nay
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Nay
Robert E. Merski Democratic Yea
Robert F. Matzie Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Ryan A. Bizzarro Democratic Yea
Scott Conklin Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Nay
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Yea
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
David H. Rowe Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Not Voting
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

HB 1855 PN 2921, 2019 A4245, KAUFFMAN

Passed 195 Yea · 0 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 53002
Unaffiliated 91003
Democratic 51002
Total 195007
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
DIGIROLAMO — Yea
DOWLING — Yea
EVERETT — Yea
GABLER — Yea
GILLESPIE — Yea
HAHN — Yea
HELM — Yea
HENNESSEY — Yea
HERSHEY — Yea
HICKERNELL — Yea
JONES — Yea
KELLER — Yea
KNOWLES — Yea
LEWIS — Yea
MACKENZIE — Yea
MASSER — Yea
METCALFE — Yea
MILLARD — Yea
MIZGORSKI — Yea
MURT — Yea
NELSON — Yea
NESBIT — Yea
PEIFER — Yea
POLINCHOCK — Yea
PUSKARIC — Yea
PYLE — Yea
QUINN — Yea
REESE — Yea
RYAN — Yea
SANKEY — Yea
SAYLOR — Yea
SCHROEDER — Yea
SIMMONS — Yea
SONNEY — Yea
STEPHENS — Yea
THOMAS — Yea
TOBASH — Yea
TOEPEL — Yea
TOOHIL — Yea
WHEELAND — Yea
CALTAGIRONE — Yea
CRUZ — Not Voting
DELISSIO — Yea
DELUCA — Yea
DERMODY — Yea
DONATUCCI — Yea
DRISCOLL — Yea
EVANS — Not Voting
FITZGERALD — Yea
GAINEY — Yea
GALLOWAY — Yea
GOODMAN — Yea
HARRIS — Yea
KIRKLAND — Yea
KORTZ — Yea
LEE — Yea
LONGIETTI — Yea
MCCARTER — Yea
MULLERY — Yea
PETRARCA — Yea
RAVENSTAHL — Yea
READSHAW — Yea
ROEBUCK — Yea
SAINATO — Yea
SIMS — Yea
SNYDER — Yea
STURLA — Yea
ULLMAN — Yea
WHEATLEY — Yea
WILLIAMS — Yea
YOUNGBLOOD — Yea
TURZAI — Yea
BARRAR — Yea
BOBACK — Yea
BROWN — Yea
COX — Yea
Aaron Kaufer — Yea
Barry Jozwiak — Yea
DAVIS, A — Yea
Dan Miller — Yea
Donna Bullock — Yea
Donna Oberlander — Yea
George Dunbar — Yea
Jim Gregory — Yea
Jim Marshall — Yea
Kevin Boyle — Yea
Louis Schmitt — Not Voting
Mark Rozzi — Yea
Mike Zabel — Yea
Paul Schemel — Yea
Sara Innamorato — Yea
Seth Grove — Yea
Stephen Kinsey — Yea
Torren Ecker — Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Yea
David M. Delloso Democratic Yea
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Not Voting
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Yea
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Yea
Nathan Davidson Democratic Not Voting
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Robert E. Merski Democratic Yea
Robert F. Matzie Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Ryan A. Bizzarro Democratic Yea
Scott Conklin Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Yea
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
David H. Rowe Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Not Voting
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1855?
HB 1855 is sponsored by Louis Schmitt, Aaron Bernstine (Republican), Sainato, Rob W. Kauffman (Republican), Stephens, Snyder, Millard, Dan Moul (Republican), Deluca, Dawn W. Keefer (Republican), Readshaw, Polinchock, Joshua D. Kail (Republican), Mike Jones (Republican), Kortz, Roebuck, Marci Mustello (Republican), Wheeland, Greg Rothman (Republican), Jason Ortitay (Republican), Rich Irvin (Republican), Tina Pickett (Republican), Helm, Gillespie, Barrar, Barbara Gleim (Republican), Everett, Frank Burns (Democratic), Toohil, Mark M. Gillen (Republican), Nesbit, James B. Struzzi (Republican), Dush, Barry Jozwiak, Jim Marshall, and Mike Zabel.
What is the current status of HB 1855?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 1855?
Track HB 1855 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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