Sen. Baker: Judiciary Committee advances key public safety legislation
Mar. 25—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said bills passed on Tuesday reflect a bipartisan commitment to tackling pressing issues — including the opioid crisis, violent crime and public safety threats.
Baker's Senate Judiciary Committee convened to advance a series of bills aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania's criminal justice system and addressing critical public safety concerns.
"This committee continues to prioritize legislation that protects our communities, supports law enforcement and ensures justice for victims," said Baker, R-Lehman Township.
Sen. Baker said the committee approved the following bills:
—Senate Bill 92 — Establishes a mandatory minimum sentence for drug delivery resulting in death when the defendant has two or more prior felony drug convictions.
The bill, titled "Tyler's Law" in memory of Tyler Shanafelter — an 18-year-old who died of an overdose after taking a pill that was laced with fentanyl — ensures that repeat offenders who profit from the addiction of others face significant consequences.
—Senate Bill 347 — Prohibits the operation of safe injection sites, which are clinics or establishments that provide space for people to consume drugs like heroin or fentanyl.
The bill reinforces Pennsylvania's stance against supervised drug consumption facilities, which only further enable those suffering from drug addiction to continue using.
—Senate Bill 475 — Updates statutory language by replacing "problem-solving courts" with "treatment courts," emphasizing the underlying mission of these specialized court programs.
—Senate Bill 490 — Prohibits courts from releasing criminal defendants on their own recognizance or on unsecured bail when the defendant is a person who poses a threat to public safety.
Specifically, the bill targets repeat violent felons, high-level fentanyl traffickers, and individuals who endanger law enforcement, ensuring that these high-risk offenders remain in custody.
—Senate Bill 471 — Requires prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when a defendant is in the country unlawfully.
—Senate Bill 96 — Enhances penalties for threats against schools and mandates reimbursement of emergency response costs.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, close to a dozen schools were plagued by anonymous threats in 2023, resulting in closures and loss of instruction time, hindering student progress.
This bill would increase the grading of the crime of terroristic threats when the threat relates to a school or institution of higher education, and requires a person convicted of making such a threat to pay for the cost of the emergency response.
—Senate Bill 175 — Strengthens laws against "swatting" and other false emergency reports by updating the crime of false alarm to agencies of public safety, allowing courts to order a person convicted of that crime to pay for the emergency response.
There are potential practical consequences to swatting alarms. They may be an accident on the way to the premises. Because of the anticipated confusion at the scene, there might be an unfortunate escalation due to miscommunication or tension.
There may be real emergencies occurring while responders are diverted to a false alarm. It is all risk, all cost, for no justifiable purpose. It is a malicious act that should be treated as such.
"These measures address critical gaps in our legal system and improve our ability to protect Pennsylvanians," said Sen. Baker. "We will continue working to ensure our laws reflect the challenges facing law enforcement, communities and crime victims."
The bills will now advance to the full Senate for further consideration.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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