The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation that would establish new sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder convictions following a state Supreme Court ruling that struck down mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole.Supreme Court sets deadline for lawmakersIn March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional, giving lawmakers 120 days to create a new sentencing framework before a July 24 deadline.Supporters say bill balances safety and fairnessSupporters of Senate Bill 1400 say the proposal balances public safety with the court’s requirement that judges consider an individual defendant’s culpability.”Don’t lose sight of that. This is murder,” said Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria.Proposed sentencing frameworkUnder the bill, the minimum sentence for second-degree murder would generally be 35 years in prison before an opportunity for parole, while life imprisonment would remain a possible maximum sentence.Judges could reduce the minimum sentence to as little as 10 years based on a defendant’s level of culpability.Prosecutors back strong penaltiesDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said the legislation would maintain significant penalties in the overwhelming majority of felony murder cases.”In 99% of the cases where there’s a murder in the course of a robbery, a rape, an arson, 35 is going to be the minimum,” Chardo said.Bill includes retroactive parole provisionsThe bill also addresses retroactive sentencing for people currently serving mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder.Under the proposal, inmates could become eligible for parole after serving 35 years of a life sentence.Those who are at least 70 years old and have served at least 20 years could also qualify for parole consideration.Some Democrats raise concernsThe measure received bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Democrats questioned whether the bill adequately complies with the Supreme Court’s ruling by providing sufficient consideration of a defendant’s role in the crime.”The court said everyone is eligible for review,” said Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery. “Everyone is entitled to have their level of culpability in a crime measured, and their sentence reflects that level of culpability.”Bill moves to the HouseThe legislation now heads to the Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House, where lawmakers could amend the proposal before sending it back to the Senate for final approval.Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also supports the bill and said lawmakers should meet the court-imposed deadline.Asked about the possibility of missing the July 24 deadline, Sunday responded, “That is not acceptable. Absolutely not.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation that would establish new sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder convictions following a state Supreme Court ruling that struck down mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Supreme Court sets deadline for lawmakers

In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional, giving lawmakers 120 days to create a new sentencing framework before a July 24 deadline.

Supporters say bill balances safety and fairness

Supporters of Senate Bill 1400 say the proposal balances public safety with the court’s requirement that judges consider an individual defendant’s culpability.

“Don’t lose sight of that. This is murder,” said Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria.

Proposed sentencing framework

Under the bill, the minimum sentence for second-degree murder would generally be 35 years in prison before an opportunity for parole, while life imprisonment would remain a possible maximum sentence.

Judges could reduce the minimum sentence to as little as 10 years based on a defendant’s level of culpability.

Prosecutors back strong penalties

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said the legislation would maintain significant penalties in the overwhelming majority of felony murder cases.

“In 99% of the cases where there’s a murder in the course of a robbery, a rape, an arson, 35 is going to be the minimum,” Chardo said.

Bill includes retroactive parole provisions

The bill also addresses retroactive sentencing for people currently serving mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder.

Under the proposal, inmates could become eligible for parole after serving 35 years of a life sentence.

Those who are at least 70 years old and have served at least 20 years could also qualify for parole consideration.

Some Democrats raise concerns

The measure received bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Democrats questioned whether the bill adequately complies with the Supreme Court’s ruling by providing sufficient consideration of a defendant’s role in the crime.

“The court said everyone is eligible for review,” said Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery. “Everyone is entitled to have their level of culpability in a crime measured, and their sentence reflects that level of culpability.”

Bill moves to the House

The legislation now heads to the Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House, where lawmakers could amend the proposal before sending it back to the Senate for final approval.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also supports the bill and said lawmakers should meet the court-imposed deadline.

Asked about the possibility of missing the July 24 deadline, Sunday responded, “That is not acceptable. Absolutely not.”