Pennsylvania HB 2276: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in inheritance tax, further providing for imposition of tax.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2976
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2276
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY N. NELSON, MADDEN, McNEILL, SANCHEZ, BURGOS,
MAYES, PARKER, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HANBIDGE AND HILL-EVANS,
MARCH 10, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 10, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in general administration relating to
correctional institutions, providing for boards of prison
inspectors in State correctional institutions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 11 of Title 61 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subchapter to read:
SUBCHAPTER E
BOARDS OF PRISON INSPECTORS
Sec.
1181. Definitions.
1182. Establishment.
1183. Membership.
1184. Duties of board.
1185. Board meetings.
1186. Funding.
1187. Annual report.
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§ 1181. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board." A board of prison inspectors established by this
subchapter.
"Member." A member of a board.
§ 1182. Establishment.
A board of prison inspectors is established in each State
correctional institution.
§ 1183. Membership.
(a) Composition.--Each board shall be composed of the
following members:
(1) Three medical professionals.
(2) Three education professionals.
(3) Three law enforcement officers.
(4) Three county-elected officials from the county in
which the State correctional institution is located.
(5) Three community members:
(i) one of whom must be a former inmate of the State
correctional institution;
(ii) one of whom must be a family member of an
inmate at the State correctional institution; and
(iii) one of whom must be an individual who resides
in the county in which the State correctional institution
is located.
(b) Appointments.--
(1) Members under subsection (a)(1) shall be appointed
by the Department of Health.
(2) Members under subsection (a)(2) shall be appointed
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by the Department of Education.
(3) Members under subsection (a)(3) shall be appointed
by the Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police.
(4) Members under subsection (a)(4) shall be appointed
by the governing body of the county.
(5) Members under subsection (a)(5) shall be appointed
by the Governor, with confirmation from the Senate.
(c) Qualifications.--A member must be representative of the
broad segments of the county's population and whose background
and experience indicate that the individual is qualified to act
in the interest of the public.
(d) Ineligibility.--A member may not be an employee of a
State correctional institution or the Commonwealth.
(e) Terms.--A member shall serve for a term of three years.
(f) Compensation prohibited.--A member shall serve without
compensation but is entitled to be reimbursed by the county for
reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the duties as
a member.
§ 1184. Duties of board.
(a) General duties.--A board shall have the following
duties:
(1) To conduct unannounced inspections of the State
correctional institution for which the board is established.
(2) To review all information in the possession of the
State correctional institution or the department relating to
misconduct of a corrections officer currently or previously
employed at the State correctional institution.
(3) To review information in the possession of the State
correctional institution or the department relating to
complaints by inmates currently or previously incarcerated in
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the State correctional institution.
(b) Living conditions.--A board shall ensure that the living
conditions within the State correctional institution for which
the board is established and alternative housing facilities that
provide services on behalf of the State correctional institution
are healthful and otherwise adequate.
(c) Unannounced inspections.--
(1) A board shall, at least twice annually, conduct an
unannounced inspection of the physical plant of the State
correctional institution for which the board is established.
(2) During the inspection, the board shall interview a
cross section of inmates, out of the presence of the warden
and the warden's agents, to determine the conditions within
the State correctional institution and alternative housing
facilities.
(3) After an inspection, the board shall prepare a
written report stating its findings and determinations and
shall make the report available for public inspection and
duplication in accordance with the act of February 14, 2008
(P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.
(d) Operations to be consistent with law.--A board shall
ensure that the State correctional ins