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
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
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 chanceBased 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
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Passed House
Current position in the legislative process.
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10 sponsors
1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (9 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 4 recorded votes 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 Pennsylvania laws related to offenses involving infants and sentencing for child victim offenders.
This legislation updates existing laws concerning the offense of dealing in infant children and establishes new sentencing considerations for offenders of child victims. It aims to clarify and enhance legal frameworks surrounding these serious offenses.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
81 added · 67 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill HB 1616 includes significant changes to the laws regarding the trafficking of infants in Pennsylvania. The bill now categorizes dealing in infant children as a first-degree felony, emphasizing the gravity of the offense, while also clarifying that legal surrogacy and adoptions are not affected by this law. Additionally, new provisions have been introduced that allow courts to consider a child's background circumstances when sentencing for offenses, potentially leading to more nuanced judicial outcomes. This adjustment aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable children while ensuring fair treatment for those who may be victims themselves.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1933 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
16163333 2025THE INTRODUCEDGENERAL BYASSEMBLY DONAHUE,OF McNEILL,PENNSYLVANIA HANBIDGE,HOUSE HILL-EVANS,BILL BURGOS,Session SANCHEZ AND KHAN, JUNE 16, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 16, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of theNo. 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:
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:
20250HB1616PN1933 - 2 - (4) Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse).
Section 2.2 3.
20250HB1616PN1933<-- 20250HB1616PN3333 - 3 -
Action History
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Referred to Judiciary
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Third consideration and final passage
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Re-reported as committed
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Re-committed to Appropriations
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Second consideration
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Removed from table
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Laid on the table
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First consideration
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Reported as amended
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Referred to Judiciary
Sponsors
- Kyle Donahue · Primary
- Jeanne McNeill · Cosponsor
- Liz Hanbidge · Cosponsor
- Carol Hill-Evans · Cosponsor
- Danilo Burgos · Cosponsor
- Benjamin V. Sanchez · Cosponsor
- Tarik Khan · Cosponsor
- G. Roni Green · Cosponsor
- Scott Barger · Cosponsor
- Carol Kazeem · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 243 not signed on · 13 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Kyle Donahue Democratic
Co-sponsors (9)
- Jeanne McNeill Democratic
- Liz Hanbidge Democratic
- Carol Hill-Evans Democratic
- Danilo Burgos Democratic
- Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic
- Tarik Khan Democratic
- G. Roni Green Democratic
- Scott Barger Republican
- Carol Kazeem Democratic
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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 100 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 200 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| % 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (37)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Salisbury | Democratic | Yea |
| Aerion Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony A. Bellmon | Democratic | Yea |
| Ben Waxman | Democratic | Yea |
| Benjamin V. Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Bridget M. Kosierowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Dave Madsen | Democratic | Yea |
| Emily Kinkead | Democratic | Yea |
| Gina H. Curry | Democratic | Yea |
| Joe Webster | Democratic | Yea |
| Jordan A. Harris | Democratic | Yea |
| Justin C. Fleming | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle Donahue | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle J. Mullins | Democratic | Yea |
| La'Tasha D. Mayes | Democratic | Yea |
| Manuel Guzman | Democratic | Yea |
| Pat Gallagher | Democratic | Yea |
| Paul Friel | Democratic | Yea |
| Regina G. Young | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven R. Malagari | Democratic | Yea |
| Tarik Khan | Democratic | Yea |
| Tim Brennan | Democratic | Yea |
| Ann Flood | Republican | Yea |
| Chad G. Reichard | Republican | Yea |
| Charity Grimm Krupa | Republican | Yea |
| Eric Davanzo | Republican | Yea |
| Eric R. Nelson | Republican | Yea |
| James B. Struzzi | Republican | Yea |
| Jamie Barton | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Olsommer | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Rigby | Republican | Yea |
| Joshua D. Kail | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Marcell | Republican | Yea |
| Marci Mustello | Republican | Yea |
| Marla Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas H. Kutz | Republican | Yea |
| Zachary Mako | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (26)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aerion Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Andre D. Carroll | Democratic | Yea |
| Benjamin V. Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Chris Pielli | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher M. Rabb | Democratic | Yea |
| Emily Kinkead | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph C. Hohenstein | Democratic | Yea |
| Kristine C. Howard | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle Donahue | Democratic | Yea |
| La'Tasha D. Mayes | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Malcolm Kenyatta | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa L. Shusterman | Democratic | Yea |
| Tim Briggs | Democratic | Yea |
| Andrew Kuzma | Republican | Yea |
| Brenda M. Pugh | Republican | Yea |
| Charity Grimm Krupa | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Rigby | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Hamm | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Kerwin | Republican | Yea |
| Joshua D. Kail | Republican | Yea |
| Kate A. Klunk | Republican | Yea |
| Rob W. Kauffman | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Leadbeter | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Borowicz | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy R. Bonner | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 58% | 42% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (26)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aerion Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Andre D. Carroll | Democratic | Yea |
| Benjamin V. Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Chris Pielli | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher M. Rabb | Democratic | Yea |
| Emily Kinkead | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph C. Hohenstein | Democratic | Yea |
| Kristine C. Howard | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle Donahue | Democratic | Yea |
| La'Tasha D. Mayes | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Malcolm Kenyatta | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa L. Shusterman | Democratic | Yea |
| Tim Briggs | Democratic | Yea |
| Andrew Kuzma | Republican | Nay |
| Brenda M. Pugh | Republican | Nay |
| Charity Grimm Krupa | Republican | Nay |
| Jim Rigby | Republican | Nay |
| Joe Hamm | Republican | Nay |
| Joe Kerwin | Republican | Nay |
| Joshua D. Kail | Republican | Nay |
| Kate A. Klunk | Republican | Yea |
| Rob W. Kauffman | Republican | Nay |
| Robert Leadbeter | Republican | Nay |
| Stephanie Borowicz | Republican | Nay |
| Timothy R. Bonner | Republican | Nay |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- 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), G. Roni Green (Democratic), Scott Barger (Republican), and Carol Kazeem (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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