Pennsylvania HR 519: A Resolution directing the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to conduct a study of bail and pretrial release practices and to issue recommendations to the House of Representatives regarding the setting of bail and pretrial release conditions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3379
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 519
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BONNER, BRIGGS, MAYES, POWELL, PICKETT, SANCHEZ,
PASHINSKI, D. WILLIAMS AND CIRESI, MAY 6, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 7, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to conduct a
study of bail and pretrial release practices and to issue
recommendations to the House of Representatives regarding the
setting of bail and pretrial release conditions.
WHEREAS, Sections 13 and 14 of Article I of the Constitution
of Pennsylvania establish general parameters for the right to
bail for individuals accused of committing criminal acts; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with authorization specified in
section 5702 of Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted Rules of
Criminal Procedure governing the setting of bail for individuals
accused of violating the criminal laws of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing is
authorized to establish guidelines for restrictive conditions,
fines, resentencing, parole and recommitment after revocation of
parole; and
WHEREAS, To date, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
has not conducted a study of bail or pretrial release
conditions; and
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WHEREAS, Section 2153(a)(16)(v) of Title 42 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes authorizes the Pennsylvania
Commission on Sentencing to report to the General Assembly on
the effectiveness and cost-benefit of various criminal justice
interventions and programs; and
WHEREAS, Bail practices across this Commonwealth vary
significantly, with materially different bail amounts imposed in
different jurisdictions for identical offenses and similarly
situated defendants; and
WHEREAS, A study of current bail practices and
recommendations to the House of Representatives for bail reform
may promote greater consistency and fairness in pretrial
decision-making throughout this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to conduct a study of bail
and pretrial release practices and to issue recommendations to
the House of Representatives regarding the setting of bail and
pretrial release conditions; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader
and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the
chairperson and minority chairperson of the Judiciary Committee
of the House of Representatives within two years of the adoption
of this resolution.
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