Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 10 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB 976 — An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in jurisdiction of appellate courts, providing for commerce court program; and, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts and providing for commerce courts.

Last action — Approved by the Governor

  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 December 12, 2019. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 22 sponsors

    1 primary, 21 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (10 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    6 passed, 1 failed in 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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

29 added · 33 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill SB 976 allow courts to collaborate with nearby counties to create a veterans court and provide support for defendants from neighboring areas. This amendment broadens the scope of who can participate in these specialized courts, making it easier for more veterans to access necessary legal and treatment resources. The bill also introduces a "veterans track" within existing problem-solving courts, ensuring that veterans receive tailored support even in courts that do not have the full capacity to run a veterans court. These changes aim to improve legal outcomes and support for veterans across multiple jurisdictions.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
1425 PRINTER'S NO.
1425 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1481 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
WARD, K.
WARD AND K.
WARD, YUDICHAK AND AUMENT, DECEMBER 12, 2019 SENATOR BAKER, JUDICIARY, AS AMENDED, JANUARY 29, 2020 AN ACT Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts.
WARD, DECEMBER 12, 2019 REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 AN ACT Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts.
* * * (d) Veterans courts.-- (1) If a court of common pleas OF A JUDICIAL DISTRICT or <-- the Municipal Court of Philadelphia has established a veterans court under subsection (a), the court may provide for participation by defendants from adjacent counties <-- ANOTHER COUNTY OR COUNTIES.
* * * (d) Veterans courts.-- (1) If a court of common pleas or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia has established a veterans court under subsection (a), the court may provide for participation by defendants from adjacent counties.
<-- (2) A court of common pleas OF A JUDICIAL DISTRICT or <-- the Municipal Court of Philadelphia may join with courts in <-- adjacent counties THE COURT IN ANOTHER COUNTY OR COUNTIES to <-- establish a multicounty veterans court.
(2) A court of common pleas or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia may join with courts in adjacent counties to establish a multicounty veterans court.
(e) Veterans track.--If a court of common pleas OF A <-- JUDICIAL DISTRICT or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia established a problem-solving court under subsection (a), except for a veterans court, the court may establish a veterans track within the problem-solving court.
(e) Veterans track.--If a court of common pleas or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia established a problem-solving court under subsection (a), except for a veterans court, the court may establish a veterans track within the problem-solving court.
As used in this subsection, the term "veterans track" means a program that utilizes some components of a veterans court, including, but not limited to, treatment resources and veteran mentors and does not have the population and judicial resources to sustain of a full veterans <-- court.
As used in this subsection, the term "veterans track" means a program that utilizes some components of a veterans court, including, but not limited to, treatment resources and veteran mentors and does not have the population and judicial resources to sustain of a full veterans court.
(f) Local rules.--A court of common pleas OF A JUDICIAL <-- DISTRICT or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia that established a veterans court, multicounty veterans court or veterans track under this section may adopt local rules for the administration of the courts and their related treatment services.
(f) Local rules.--A court of common pleas or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia that established a veterans court, multicounty veterans court or veterans track under this section may adopt local rules for the administration of the courts and their related treatment services.
The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules 20190SB0976PN1481 - 2 - established by the Supreme Court.
The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules established by the Supreme Court.
20190SB0976PN1481 - 3 -
20190SB0976PN1425 - 2 -
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View plain text versions (3)

Amendments

3 amendments

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

Action History

  1. Approved by the Governor

  2. Presented to the Governor

  3. Signed in House

  4. Signed in Senate

  5. Senate concurred in House amendments

  6. Re-reported on concurrence, as committed

  7. Referred to RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS

  8. Third consideration and final passage

  9. Re-reported as committed

  10. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS

  11. Second consideration

  12. Removed from table

  13. Laid on the table

  14. First consideration

  15. PN 2023 Reported as amended

  16. Referred to JUDICIARY

  17. Third consideration and final passage

  18. Re-reported as committed

  19. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS

  20. Second consideration

  21. First consideration

  22. PN 1481 Reported as amended

  23. PN 1425 Referred to JUDICIARY

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 21 co-sponsors · 231 not signed on · 7 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Regan

Co-sponsors (21)

Not signed on (231)

231 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 231 →

"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 (RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS): Re-Reported as Committed

Passed 17 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 8000
Republican 5000
Democratic 4000
Total 17000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (17)
Member Party Vote
AUMENT — Yea
FARNESE — Yea
GORDNER — Yea
REGAN — Yea
A. WILLIAMS — Yea
YUDICHAK — Yea
CORMAN — Yea
SCARNATI — Yea
Jay Costa Democratic Yea
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Yea
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea

Official roll call →

CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS

Passed 47 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 17000
Unaffiliated 19000
Democratic 11003
Total 47003
% of votes cast 94%0%0%6%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
ARNOLD — Yea
AUMENT — Yea
BLAKE — Yea
BREWSTER — Yea
BROWNE — Yea
CORMAN — Yea
DINNIMAN — Yea
DISANTO — Yea
FARNESE — Yea
GORDNER — Yea
IOVINO — Yea
KILLION — Yea
LEACH — Yea
MENSCH — Yea
REGAN — Yea
SABATINA — Yea
SCARNATI — Yea
SCAVELLO — Yea
YUDICHAK — Yea
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Yea
Jay Costa 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 Not Voting
Sharif Street Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Not Voting
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Not Voting
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 201 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 90001
Republican 57000
Democratic 54000
Total 201001
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
BARRAR — Yea
BOBACK — Yea
BROWN — Yea
COX — Yea
SCHROEDER — Yea
SIMMONS — Yea
SONNEY — Yea
STEPHENS — Yea
THOMAS — Yea
TOBASH — Yea
TOEPEL — Yea
TOOHIL — Yea
WHEELAND — Yea
CALTAGIRONE — Yea
CRUZ — Yea
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
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
PEIFER — Yea
POLINCHOCK — Yea
PUSKARIC — Yea
PYLE — Yea
QUINN — Yea
REESE — Yea
RYAN — Yea
SANKEY — Yea
SAYLOR — 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
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 — Yea
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
G. Roni Green Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
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 Yea
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
Eric Davanzo 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
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
Kathleen C. Tomlinson 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 Yea
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
Timothy R. Bonner Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

Official roll call →

SB 976 PN 1481, A5557, HUGHES AMENDMENT NO. A-5557

Failed 20 Yea · 29 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 14000
Republican 01700
Unaffiliated 61201
Total 202901
% of votes cast 40%58%0%2%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
YUDICHAK — Nay
ARNOLD — Nay
AUMENT — Nay
BLAKE — Yea
BREWSTER — Not Voting
BROWNE — Nay
CORMAN — Nay
DINNIMAN — Yea
DISANTO — Nay
FARNESE — Yea
GORDNER — Nay
IOVINO — Yea
KILLION — Nay
LEACH — Yea
MENSCH — Nay
REGAN — Nay
SABATINA — Yea
SCARNATI — Nay
SCAVELLO — Nay
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Yea
Jay Costa 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
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 Nay
Daniel Laughlin Republican Nay
David G. Argall Republican Nay
Doug Mastriano Republican Nay
Elder A. Vogel Republican Nay
Gene Yaw Republican Nay
Joe Pittman Republican Nay
Judy Ward Republican Nay
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Nay
Kim L. Ward Republican Nay
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Nay
Lisa Baker Republican Nay
Michele Brooks Republican Nay
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Nay
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Nay
Scott Martin Republican Nay
Wayne Langerholc Republican Nay

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 49 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 17000
Unaffiliated 18001
Democratic 14000
Total 49001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
ARNOLD — Yea
AUMENT — Yea
BLAKE — Yea
BREWSTER — Not Voting
BROWNE — Yea
CORMAN — Yea
DINNIMAN — Yea
DISANTO — Yea
FARNESE — Yea
GORDNER — Yea
IOVINO — Yea
KILLION — Yea
LEACH — Yea
MENSCH — Yea
REGAN — Yea
SABATINA — Yea
SCARNATI — Yea
SCAVELLO — Yea
YUDICHAK — Yea
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Yea
Jay Costa 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
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
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (APPROPRIATIONS): Re-Reported as Committed

Passed 24 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 9000
Unaffiliated 8000
Democratic 7000
Total 24000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (24)
Member Party Vote
BLAKE — Yea
IOVINO — Yea
KILLION — Yea
MENSCH — Yea
SCAVELLO — Yea
BROWNE — Yea
CORMAN — Yea
SCARNATI — Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Jay Costa Democratic Yea
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Yea
Sharif Street Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

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 →

Subjects

public-safety elections
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 976?
SB 976 is sponsored by Regan, Doug Mastriano (Republican), David G. Argall (Republican), Camera Bartolotta (Republican), Brewster, Browne, Dinniman, Killion, Scott Martin (Republican), Mensch, Kristin Phillips-Hill (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Judy Ward (Republican), Lisa Baker (Republican), Jay Costa (Democratic), Yudichak, Aument, Arnold, Farnese, Sharif Street (Democratic), Michele Brooks (Republican), and Kim L. Ward (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 976?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 12, 2019. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 976?
Track SB 976 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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