Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 9 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 1616 — An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of dealing in infant children; and, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.

Last action — Referred to JUDICIARY, June 22, 2026

  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 June 16, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

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

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (9 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill amends laws related to child victim offenders and dealing in infant children.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's laws regarding offenses against infants and includes considerations for sentencing related to child victim offenders. It aims to refine how certain cases are handled in the judicial system.

Summary

Sentencing Considerations for Child Victim Offenders

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

67 added · 81 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill HB 1616 involve the addition of a new section that focuses on sentencing considerations for child offenders who may have been victims of prohibited sexual conduct prior to their offenses. The court is now allowed to consider these circumstances and possibly reduce mandatory minimum sentences if it's proven that a child's actions were a direct result of prior trauma or emotional distress. This change is significant because it recognizes the complexities of juvenile justice, aiming to provide a more nuanced approach to sentencing that considers a child offender's background and experiences.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
1933 PRINTER'S NO.
1933 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
3333 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
1616 2025 INTRODUCED BY DONAHUE, McNEILL, HANBIDGE, HILL-EVANS, BURGOS, SANCHEZ AND KHAN, JUNE 16, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 16, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.
1616 2025 INTRODUCED BY DONAHUE, McNEILL, HANBIDGE, HILL-EVANS, BURGOS, SANCHEZ, KHAN AND GREEN, JUNE 16, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MAY 4, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title TITLES 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) AND 42 (Judiciary <-- and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, IN OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY, FURTHER PROVIDING <-- FOR THE OFFENSE OF DEALING IN INFANT CHILDREN;
AND, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.
Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated <-- Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
SECTION 1.
SECTION 4305 OF TITLE 18 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA <-- CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED TO READ:
§ 4305.
DEALING IN INFANT CHILDREN.
(A) OFFENSE DEFINED.--A PERSON IS GUILTY OF A [MISDEMEANOR] FELONY OF THE FIRST DEGREE IF HE DEALS IN HUMANITY, BY TRADING, BARTERING, BUYING, SELLING, OR DEALING IN INFANT CHILDREN.
(B) EXCLUSION.--THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO AN OTHERWISE LEGAL SURROGACY OR ADOPTION.
(C) DEFINITIONS.--AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM "INFANT CHILD" MEANS A CHILD ONE YEAR OF AGE OR YOUNGER.
SECTION 2.
TITLE 42 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this 20250HB1616PN3333 - 2 - subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(4) Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse).
20250HB1616PN1933 - 2 - (4) Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse).
Section 2 3.
Section 2.
<-- 20250HB1616PN3333 - 3 -
20250HB1616PN1933 - 3 -
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Action History

  1. Referred to JUDICIARY, June 22, 2026

  2. In the Senate

  3. (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 16, 2026

  4. Third consideration and final passage, June 16, 2026 (200-2)

  5. Re-reported as committed, June 3, 2026

  6. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 2, 2026

  7. Second consideration, June 2, 2026

  8. Removed from table, June 1, 2026

  9. Laid on the table, May 4, 2026

  10. First consideration, May 4, 2026

  11. Reported as amended, May 4, 2026

  12. Referred to JUDICIARY, June 16, 2025

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 243 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (243)

243 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 243 →

"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 100200
Republican 100000
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 Nay
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 Nay
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

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1616 do?
Sentencing Considerations for Child Victim Offenders
Who sponsors HB 1616?
HB 1616 is sponsored by Kyle Donahue (Democratic), Jeanne McNeill (Democratic), Liz Hanbidge (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Danilo Burgos (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Tarik Khan (Democratic), Scott Barger (Republican), Carol Kazeem (Democratic), and G. Roni Green (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 1616?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced June 16, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 1616?
Track HB 1616 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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