2011-2012 Session of the General Assembly
Bills Reported and Hearings Held by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Updated 8/05/11

SB29 (Sen. Greenleaf) Expands and clarifies the provisions prohibiting contraband, including weapons, implements for escape, and other dangerous material, in correctional institutions, youth development centers, and forensic units of State mental hospitals. 5/3/11

SB42 (Sen. Greenleaf) Amends the provisions of the Crimes Code relating to the registration of sex offenders (Megan's Law). 2/8/11

SB58 (Sen. Greenleaf) Enacts the Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act, authorizing the court to issue an order that requires the assailant to keep away from a sexual assault victim. 2/8/11

SB59 (Sen. Greenleaf) Amends the Judicial Code relating to the Judicial Conduct Board and how it operates. 2/8/11

SB79 (Sen. Greenleaf) Amends the Judicial Code adding the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA). 2/8/11

SB88 (Sen. Greenleaf) Amends the Associations Code adding the Pennsylvania Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Law (PUUNAL). 2/8/11

SB100 (Sen. Greenleaf) Enacts the Criminal Justice Reform Act.  Makes changes relating to the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing; provide for sanctions for probation violations; modify the eligibility requirements for alternative sentencing and pre-release programs; and establish a comprehensive reentry program. 6/14/11

SB273 (Sen. Alloway) Amends provisions of the Crimes Code relating to the use of force, and other provisions relating to firearms; and the Judicial Code to provide for civil immunity for the use of force. 3/1/11

SB411 (Sen. Browne) Amends the Juvenile Act to provide for county interagency sharing of juvenile records. 5/3/11

SB448 (Sen. Rafferty) Provides a person with immunity from prosecution for underage drinking when the person calls 911 because someone else needs medical attention. 5/3/11

SB626 (Sen. Browne) Referred to as "the pigeon shoot bill," prohibits the use of live animals or fowl for targets at trap shoots or block shoots. 4/12/11

SB750 (Sen. Greenleaf) Updates and revises the law relating to organ and tissue donations. 5/3/11

SB815 (Sen. Baker) Prohibits the waiver of counsel in a juvenile proceeding. 4/12/11

SB816 (Sen. Baker) Amends the Crime Victims Act, 1998 Act 111, requiring the Victim Advocate to represent and advocate for the interests of victims of juvenile crime. 4/12/11

SB817 (Sen. Baker) Restricts the use of restraints such as shackles on juveniles during court proceedings. 4/12/11

SB818 (Sen. Baker) Requires the court to state the reasons for its disposition of a delinquent child. 4/12/11

SB850 (Sen. Greenleaf) Establishes the criminal offense of cyberbullying and sexting; further providing for the expungement of juvenile records; and making a number of changes to the Juvenile Act to protect children who are involved in cases before magisterial district judges or involved in juvenile court proceedings. 4/12/11

SB1006 (Sen. Vogel) adds to Schedule I Salvinorin A and Divinorin A which are the chemical compositions for Salvia Divinorum, which is also added to the list.  The chemical compounds for synthetic marijuana and synthetic cocaine and heroin (also known as concentrated bath salts) are added as well. 5/3/11

SB1131 (Sen. Greenleaf) Amends the Judicial Code relating to comparative negligence, specifying when joint and several liability applies to the recovery of damages in a civil action. 6/14/11

HB38 (Rep. Caltagirone) Amends sections of the Judicial Code, Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, to conform those sections to the changes made by 2010 Act 114 to the jurisdictional limits of the Philadelphia Municipal Court and magisterial district judges. 4/12/11

HB40 (Rep. Perry) Amends provisions of the Crimes Code relating to the use of force, and other provisions relating to firearms, and the Judicial Code, Title 42, to provide for civil immunity for the use of force. 6/14/11

HB396 (Rep. O'Neill) Reduces the grading of the offense of drug delivery resulting in death from murder of the third degree to a felony of the first degree, and adds drug delivery resulting in death to the definition of "crime of violence." 6/14/11 

Public/confirmation hearings held by or presentations before the judiciary committee:

Public hearing on Evidence-based Policy Options to Reduce Crime and Criminal Justice Costs 2/15/11

Public hearing on the use of DNA in criminal investigations (Philadelphia) 3/18/11

Public hearing on joint and several liability including Senate Bills 2 and 500 4/11/11

Confirmation hearing for John E. Wetzel as Secretary of Corrections 4/12/11

Confirmation hearing for Linda L. Kelly, Esquire as Attorney General 5/3/11

Public hearing on joint and several liability including Senate Bills 2 and 500 (Philadelphia) 5/19/11

Confirmation hearing for Harris Gubernick as a member of the Board of Pardons 6/21/11