Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 D · 2 R cosponsors

SB 1259 — An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for investigation of circumstances of offense and for parole procedure.

Last action — Act No. 26 of 2026

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 01, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro (Democratic) on July 12, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high 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 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 6 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 modifies provisions related to parole procedures and circumstances of offenses in Pennsylvania.

This legislation updates the rules governing how the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole conducts investigations for offenses and manages parole procedures. It aims to refine the processes involved in assessing parole eligibility.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

43 added · 42 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill SB 1259 introduce new confidentiality protections for the parole decision-making process. Records and information shared with the board about these decisions are now classified as confidential, meaning they cannot be accessed through subpoenas, introduced as evidence, or disclosed to the offenders themselves. Additionally, the board is required to provide explanations for parole approvals but now appears to remove public access to reasons for parole denials. This change could make it harder for the public to understand the rationale behind parole decisions, raising questions about transparency in the parole system.

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PRINTER'S NO.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1561 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1561 PRINTER'S NO.
1259 2026 INTRODUCED BY CAPPELLETTI, BAKER, SCHWANK, SAVAL, KANE, COSTA, KIM AND VOGEL, APRIL 1, 2026 REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, APRIL 1, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for investigation of circumstances of offense and for parole procedure.
1626 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1259 2026 INTRODUCED BY CAPPELLETTI, BAKER, SCHWANK, SAVAL, KANE, COSTA, KIM AND VOGEL, APRIL 1, 2026 SENATOR BAKER, JUDICIARY, AS AMENDED, APRIL 21, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for investigation of circumstances of offense and for parole procedure.
* * * (c) Confidentiality of parole review materials.--Except as provided under section 6139(a)(5) (relating to parole procedure), records or information furnished to the board by a public official or public employee under subsection (b):
* * * (c) Confidentiality of parole review materials.--Except as provided under section 6139(a)(5) (relating to parole procedure), RECORDS OF THE BOARD'S PAROLE DECISION-MAKING <-- PROCESS AND records or information furnished to the board by a public official or public employee under subsection (b):
* * * 20260SB1259PN1561 - 2 - Section 3.
20260SB1259PN1626 - 2 - * * * Section 3.
20260SB1259PN1561 - 3 -
20260SB1259PN1626 - 3 -
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Action History

  1. Act No. 26 of 2026

  2. Approved by the Governor

  3. Presented to the Governor

  4. Signed in Senate

  5. Signed in House

  6. Third consideration and final passage

  7. Re-reported as committed

  8. Re-referred to Appropriations

  9. Second consideration

  10. Removed from table

  11. Laid on the table

  12. First consideration

  13. Reported as committed

  14. Referred to Judiciary

  15. Third consideration and final passage

  16. Second consideration

  17. First consideration

  18. Reported as amended

  19. Referred to Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 245 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (245)

245 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 245 →

"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 (Appropriations): Re-report Bill As Committed

Passed 37 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 22000
Republican 15000
Total 37000
% 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

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

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 →

Committee vote (Judiciary): Report Bill As Committed

Passed 26 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 14000
Republican 12000
Total 26000
% 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

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 50 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 27000
Democratic 23000
Total 50000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Yea
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Yea
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Yea
James Andrew Malone Democratic Yea
Jay Costa Democratic Yea
John I. Kane Democratic Yea
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Yea
Katie J. Muth Democratic Yea
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Yea
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Yea
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Nick Miller Democratic Yea
Nick Pisciottano Democratic Yea
Nikil Saval Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Yea
Sharif Street Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Yea
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Yea
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Devlin J. Robinson Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jarrett Coleman Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Judiciary): Adopt Amendment

Passed 13 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 8001
Democratic 5000
Total 13001
% of votes cast 93%0%0%7%
How each member voted (14)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Yea
Nikil Saval Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Not Voting
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Judiciary): Reported as Amended

Passed 13 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 8001
Democratic 5000
Total 13001
% of votes cast 93%0%0%7%
How each member voted (14)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Yea
Nikil Saval Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Not Voting
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 1259?
SB 1259 is sponsored by Amanda M. Cappelletti (Democratic), Lisa Baker (Republican), Judith L. Schwank (Democratic), Nikil Saval (Democratic), John I. Kane (Democratic), Jay Costa (Democratic), Patty Kim (Democratic), and Elder A. Vogel (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 1259?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 01, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 1259?
Track SB 1259 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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