Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: Passed House 17 D cosponsors

HB 138 — An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for grounds for involuntary termination; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of dependent child.

Last action — Referred to JUDICIARY, June 25, 2026

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

This bill has passed the House. Introduced September 04, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 17 sponsors

    1 primary, 16 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (17 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill amends laws regarding the adoption process for children of incarcerated parents.

This legislation modifies requirements for involuntary termination of parental rights and addresses the treatment of dependent children. It aims to clarify processes related to adoption in cases involving parents who are incarcerated.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families may see changes in how parental rights are handled in cases of incarceration.

Summary

Protecting the Rights of Children of Incarcerated Parents

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

57 added · 59 removed

57 line(s) added, 59 removed.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
2253 PRINTER'S NO.
2253 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
3481 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
138 2025 INTRODUCED BY KRAJEWSKI, SANCHEZ, CONKLIN, McNEILL, FIEDLER, KHAN, HOWARD, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, ISAACSON, FLEMING, GREEN, BOROWSKI, BOYD, MAYES AND MADDEN, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 AN ACT Amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of, in dependent child.
138 2025 INTRODUCED BY KRAJEWSKI, SANCHEZ, CONKLIN, McNEILL, FIEDLER, KHAN, HOWARD, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, ISAACSON, FLEMING, GREEN, BOROWSKI, BOYD, MAYES AND MADDEN, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 2, 2026 AN ACT Amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated providing for grounds for involuntary termination;
and, iner juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of dependent child.
<-- (II) UNLESS PARENTAL RIGHTS ARE TERMINATED UNDER <-- SUBSECTION (A)(9) OR (10), PARENTAL INCARCERATION.
20250HB0138PN3481 - 2 - (i) [the] The child is being cared for by a relative best suited to the physical, mental and moral welfare of the child[;].
(i) [the] The child is being cared for by a relative best suited to the physical, mental and moral welfare of the child[;].
(ii) [the] The county agency has documented a compelling reason for determining that filing a petition to terminate parental rights would not serve the needs and welfare of the child[;
20250HB0138PN2253 - 2 - (ii) [the] The county agency has documented a compelling reason for determining that filing a petition to terminate parental rights would not serve the needs and welfare of the child[;
20250HB0138PN3481 - 3 -
20250HB0138PN2253 - 3 -
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How this bill changes current law

2 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies considerations for parental rights termination and clarifies provisions regarding parental incarceration.

  • 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511

    if found to be beyond the control of the parent[.]; → unless parental rights are terminated under subsection (a)(9) or (10), parental incarceration.

    This change allows for parental incarceration to be considered in terminating parental rights under certain conditions.

  • 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(f)(9)

    if the child is being cared for by a relative best suited to the physical, mental and moral welfare of the child[;]. → A compelling reason may include parental incarceration for a period exceeding 15 months, UNLESS THE INCARCERATION IS FOR AN OFFENSE SPECIFIED IN 23 PA.C.S. § 2511(A)(9) (RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION) OR THE GROUNDS IN SECTION 2511(A)(10) OR (11) ARE SATISFIED,

    This change specifies that parental incarceration will not automatically prevent the filing of a termination petition if it meets certain criteria.

Action History

  1. Referred to JUDICIARY, June 25, 2026

  2. In the Senate

  3. (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 22, 2026

  4. Third consideration and final passage, June 22, 2026 (200-2)

  5. Re-reported as committed, June 22, 2026

  6. (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 17, 2026

  7. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 17, 2026

  8. Second consideration, with amendments, June 17, 2026

  9. Re-reported as committed, June 17, 2026

  10. Re-committed to RULES, June 2, 2026

  11. First consideration, June 2, 2026

  12. Reported as amended, June 2, 2026

  13. Referred to CHILDREN AND YOUTH, Sept. 4, 2025

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 16 co-sponsors · 236 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (16)

Not signed on (236)

236 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 236 →

"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

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 200 Yea · 2 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 102000
Republican 98200
Total 200200
% of votes cast 99%1%0%0%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
Abigail Salisbury Democratic Yea
Aerion Abney Democratic Yea
Amen Brown Democratic Yea
Ana Tiburcio Democratic Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Anthony A. Bellmon Democratic Yea
Arvind Venkat Democratic Yea
Ben Waxman Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carol Hill-Evans Democratic Yea
Carol Kazeem Democratic Yea
Chris Pielli Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Dan Goughnour Democratic Yea
Dan K. Williams Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Yea
Darisha K. Parker Democratic Yea
Dave Madsen Democratic Yea
David M. Delloso Democratic Yea
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Yea
Emily Kinkead Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
G. Roni Green Democratic Yea
Gina H. Curry Democratic Yea
Greg Scott Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Yea
Heather Boyd Democratic Yea
Ismail Smith-Wade-El Democratic Yea
Jacklyn Rusnock Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jen Mazzocco Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Jessica Benham Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Jim Prokopiak Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe McAndrew Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz Democratic Yea
John C. Inglis III Democratic Yea
Jordan A. Harris Democratic Yea
Jose Giral Democratic Yea
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Justin C. Fleming Democratic Yea
Keith S. Harris Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle Donahue Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
La'Tasha D. Mayes Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Lindsay Powell Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Yea
Mandy Steele Democratic Yea
Manuel Guzman Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa Cerrato Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Yea
Nancy Guenst Democratic Yea
Napoleon J. Nelson Democratic Yea
Nathan Davidson Democratic Yea
Nikki Rivera Democratic Yea
Pat Gallagher Democratic Yea
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Paul Friel Democratic Yea
Paul Takac Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Regina G. Young Democratic Yea
Rick Krajewski 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
Sean Dougherty Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tarah Probst Democratic Yea
Tarik Khan Democratic Yea
Tim Brennan Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Yea
Abby Major Republican Yea
Alec J. Ryncavage Republican Yea
Andrea C. Verobish Republican Yea
Andrew Kuzma Republican Yea
Ann Flood Republican Yea
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brenda M. Pugh Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Brian C. Rasel Republican Yea
Brian Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Nay
Catherine I Wallen Republican Yea
Chad G. Reichard Republican Yea
Charity Grimm Krupa Republican Nay
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Craig Williams Republican Yea
Dallas Kephart Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Yea
David H. Rowe Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Donna Scheuren Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Eric Davanzo Republican Yea
Eric J. Weaknecht Republican Yea
Eric R. Nelson Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
George H Margetas Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Barton Republican Yea
Jamie L. Flick Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jeff Olsommer Republican Yea
Jeremy Shaffer Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joanne Stehr Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
Joe Hamm Republican Yea
Joe Hogan Republican Yea
Joe Kerwin Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
John A. Schlegel Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joseph D'Orsie Republican Yea
Josh Bashline Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Kristin Marcell Republican Yea
Leslie Rossi Republican Yea
Marc S. Anderson Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Marla Brown Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Yea
Michael Stender Republican Yea
Mike Armanini Republican Yea
Mike Jones Republican Yea
Milou Mackenzie Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
Perry A. Stambaugh Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Robert Leadbeter Republican Yea
Roman Kozak Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Scott Barger Republican Yea
Shelby Labs Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas H. Kutz Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Tim Twardzik Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Timothy R. Bonner Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Tom Jones Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Wendy Fink Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Floor vote

Passed 202 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 102000
Republican 100000
Total 202000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
Abigail Salisbury Democratic Yea
Aerion Abney Democratic Yea
Amen Brown Democratic Yea
Ana Tiburcio Democratic Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Anthony A. Bellmon Democratic Yea
Arvind Venkat Democratic Yea
Ben Waxman Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carol Hill-Evans Democratic Yea
Carol Kazeem Democratic Yea
Chris Pielli Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Dan Goughnour Democratic Yea
Dan K. Williams Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Yea
Darisha K. Parker Democratic Yea
Dave Madsen Democratic Yea
David M. Delloso Democratic Yea
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Yea
Emily Kinkead Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
G. Roni Green Democratic Yea
Gina H. Curry Democratic Yea
Greg Scott Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Yea
Heather Boyd Democratic Yea
Ismail Smith-Wade-El Democratic Yea
Jacklyn Rusnock Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jen Mazzocco Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Jessica Benham Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Jim Prokopiak Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe McAndrew Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz Democratic Yea
John C. Inglis III Democratic Yea
Jordan A. Harris Democratic Yea
Jose Giral Democratic Yea
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Justin C. Fleming Democratic Yea
Keith S. Harris Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle Donahue Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
La'Tasha D. Mayes Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Lindsay Powell Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Yea
Mandy Steele Democratic Yea
Manuel Guzman Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa Cerrato Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Yea
Nancy Guenst Democratic Yea
Napoleon J. Nelson Democratic Yea
Nathan Davidson Democratic Yea
Nikki Rivera Democratic Yea
Pat Gallagher Democratic Yea
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Paul Friel Democratic Yea
Paul Takac Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Regina G. Young Democratic Yea
Rick Krajewski 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
Sean Dougherty Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tarah Probst Democratic Yea
Tarik Khan Democratic Yea
Tim Brennan Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Yea
Abby Major Republican Yea
Alec J. Ryncavage Republican Yea
Andrea C. Verobish Republican Yea
Andrew Kuzma Republican Yea
Ann Flood Republican Yea
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brenda M. Pugh Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Brian C. Rasel Republican Yea
Brian Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Yea
Catherine I Wallen Republican Yea
Chad G. Reichard Republican Yea
Charity Grimm Krupa Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Craig Williams Republican Yea
Dallas Kephart Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Yea
David H. Rowe Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Donna Scheuren Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Eric Davanzo Republican Yea
Eric J. Weaknecht Republican Yea
Eric R. Nelson Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
George H Margetas Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Barton Republican Yea
Jamie L. Flick Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jeff Olsommer Republican Yea
Jeremy Shaffer Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joanne Stehr Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
Joe Hamm Republican Yea
Joe Hogan Republican Yea
Joe Kerwin Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
John A. Schlegel Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joseph D'Orsie Republican Yea
Josh Bashline Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Kristin Marcell Republican Yea
Leslie Rossi Republican Yea
Marc S. Anderson Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Marla Brown Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Yea
Michael Stender Republican Yea
Mike Armanini Republican Yea
Mike Jones Republican Yea
Milou Mackenzie Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
Perry A. Stambaugh Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Robert Leadbeter Republican Yea
Roman Kozak Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Scott Barger Republican Yea
Shelby Labs Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas H. Kutz Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Tim Twardzik Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Timothy R. Bonner Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Tom Jones Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Wendy Fink Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 138 do?
Protecting the Rights of Children of Incarcerated Parents
Who sponsors HB 138?
HB 138 is sponsored by Rick Krajewski (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Scott Conklin (Democratic), Jeanne McNeill (Democratic), Tarik Khan (Democratic), Kristine C. Howard (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), Joseph C. Hohenstein (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), MaryLouise Isaacson (Democratic), Justin C. Fleming (Democratic), G. Roni Green (Democratic), Heather Boyd (Democratic), La'Tasha D. Mayes (Democratic), Maureen E. Madden (Democratic), Elizabeth Fiedler (Democratic), and Lisa A. Borowski (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 138?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced September 04, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 138?
Track HB 138 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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