Judiciary Committee

Greenleaf, Chair White, M.J., Vice Chair

Republicans: Browne Earll Gordner Orie Piccola Rafferty

Democrats: Costa, Minority Chair Boscola Fontana Stack Stout

Welcome to the website for the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee. This site is designed to provide Pennsylvanians with up to date information about the activities of the committee including meeting and hearing agendas and current legislation.

As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I work to ensure that we continue to hold public hearings to guide policy responding to critical issues within Pennsylvania's courts, law enforcement agencies and criminal justice system.  My commitment is to ensure the safety and security of all Pennsylvanians and to recommend to the Senate fair and balanced legislation that will deliver justice. 

I and my fellow committee members seek to uphold Pennsylvania's long standing tradition of protecting victims of crime, justly prosecuting criminals, and holding our justice system to the highest standards of integrity and fairness.  I hope that you will return to this site often to stay informed of the committee's actions.

Sincerely,

Stewart Greenleaf

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Hearings/Meetings

December 13, 2011 - Confirmation Hearing

December 6, 2011 - To Consider Bills

October 25, 2011 -  To Consider Bills

September 27, 2011 - To Consider Bills

September 20, 2011 - Meeting to receive Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee Report on Wrongful Convictions and Consideration of Bills

June 27, 2011 - To Consider HB 924         MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED

June 21, 2011 - Confirmation Hearing on Harris Gubernick to the Board of Pardons

June 14, 2011 - To Consider Bills

May 19, 2011 - Public hearing on the issue of Joint and Several Liability and to Consider Bills

May 3, 2011 - Nomination of Linda L. Kelly, Esquire as Attorney General and to consider Senate Bills 29, 411, 448, 750, and 1006

April 12, 2011 - Nomination of John Wetzel for Secretary of Corrections and to consider Senate Bills 815, 816, 817, 818, 850 and House Bill 38

April 11, 2011 - Public hearing on the issue of joint and several liability

March 18, 2011 - Public Hearing on the Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations

March 1, 2011 - Consideration of SB 273

February 15, 2011 - Hearing on Evidence-Based Public Policy Options to Reduce Crime and Criminal Justice Costs

October 13, 2010 - Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to consider the nominations of James M. McMaster, Esquire, Judge Court of Common Pleas, Bucks County and Phillippe A. Melograne, Esquire, Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Washington County.

• - :36

• - :36

August 9, 2010 - Senate Judiciary Meeting on Bail Enforcement

• - 1:32

• - 1:17

June 15, 2010 – Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on "best practices" in the juvenile justice system. 

• - 1:45

• - 1:22

• - 3:09

June 11, 2010 - Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Philadelphia Criminal Justice System.

• - 1:25

• - 1:05

December 15, 2009 - Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to consider the nominations of Sandra D. Crawford, Daniel R. Fleck, Alfonso Frioni, Jr., Herbert W. Hoffman, Robert A. Krebs, Susan M. McDermott and David H. Wilderman to the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board, and to consider certain bills.

• - (running time 1 hour 22 minutes)

December 15, 2009 - The Senate and House Judiciary Committees information hearing on crime and sentencing issues

• - (running time 1 hour 1 minute)

November 16, 2009 - Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on prison overcrowding and mandatory sentencing

• - Part 1 - (running time 1 hour, 31 minutes)
  - Part 2 - (running time 1 hour, 16 minutes)
  - (running time 2 hours 47 minutes)

June 16, 209 - Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to consider bills and to hear a presentation on the PA Innocence Project.

• - (running time 44 minutes)

April 28, 2009 - Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the State Judicial System budget.

• - (running time 1 hour, 18 minutes)

January 27, 2009 - Public Hearing on Parole for Violent Offenders

• - Part 1 - (running time 1 hour, 8 minutes)
  - Part 2 - (running time 10 minutes)
  - (running time 1 hour, 18 minutes)

September 22, 2008 - Hearing on Juvenile Life Sentences

• - Running time 3 hour, 59 minutes

September 12, 2008 - Public Hearing on State Funding for County Offices of Probation and Parole

• Agenda and Testimony

March 17, 2008

• - Hearing - 3 hours 16 minutes

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December 10, 2007

• November 20, 2007

• Hearing - Part 1

•  Hearing - Part 2

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October 23, 2007

October 2, 2007

September 19, 2007

News

November 15, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Public Hearing on Behavioral Health Treatment Courts

Useful Links

Bills and Resolutions Reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 2007 – 2008 Legislative Session