HARRISBURG – PA Senate Republican leaders say the Democrat-controlled PA House failed to protect PA communities by failing to vote on bipartisan legislation passed by the state Senate that addresses sentencing guidelines for criminals convicted of second-degree murder. In March, the PA Supreme Court ruled the state’s sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder cases – life without the possibility of parole – are unconstitutional. The court gave the legislature until today to set new guidelines that ensure fairness, accountability, and public safety. Without new measures in place, hundreds of men and women already convicted of second-degree murder could be re-sentenced or released from incarceration. The state Senate Republican Caucus worked with victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the PA Attorney General to create new guidelines that would ensure the punishments fit the nature of these crimes. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1400 and House Bill 1042 to the House. Both received bipartisan support in the Senate. Yesterday, the House approved a revised version that would make those convicted of second-degree murder eligible for parole after serving 30 years and sentencing linked to an offender’s level of culpability. Senate Republicans commented that “since the day the House announced their return to session this week, there has been no outreach to them by the Governor or House Democrat Leadership. The lack of engagement on such a significant issue is gravely troubling and a complete failure of leadership.”
