House Bill 1042<\/a> after House Democrats amended the legislation, replacing a bipartisan Senate-passed solution with provisions that weaken accountability for violent offenders and create uncertainty for crime victims and their families.<\/p>\n\u201cThe Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave the General Assembly 120 days to address this issue. On day 119, I voted in favor of returning to the Senate\u2019s bipartisan bill because it could have been on the governor\u2019s desk today, providing a clear and timely response to the court\u2019s ruling,\u201d said Gaydos. \u201cInstead, House Democrats abandoned that bipartisan approach at the last minute, replacing it with their own proposal that favors convicted killers over victims and public safety. Pennsylvanians deserve better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Senate-passed bill established sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of second-degree murder following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling. Rather than sending that bipartisan measure to the governor, House Democrats amended the bill to add medical parole provisions and replace the Senate’s sentencing framework with language that gives judges broad discretion in sentencing individuals convicted of second-degree murder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the deadline Friday, July 24, and no remedy in place, the more than 1,100 prisoners convicted of murder who are affected by this lapse could challenge their sentences, potentially opening the door to their release into Pennsylvania communities,\u201d said Gaydos.<\/p>\n
\u201cPennsylvania families deserve a criminal justice system that prioritizes victims, protects our communities and holds violent offenders accountable. Instead of advancing a bill that had already passed the Senate, House Democrats loaded it with unrelated provisions that make an already difficult issue even more complicated.<\/p>\n
\u201cLegislation affecting public safety should never be rushed through the House with major amendments released at the last minute. Pennsylvanians deserve an open process and laws that put public safety first, not politics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaydos voted \u201cyes\u201d on the motion to restore the Senate language and \u201cno\u201d on the amended House bill.<\/p>\n
House Bill 1042 passed the House and now moves to the Senate on concurrence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Representative Valerie Gaydos
\n44th Legislative District
\nPennsylvania House of Representatives
\nMedia Contact: Rick Leiner
\n717.260.6437
\nrleiner@pahousegop.com<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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