Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Briggs announces Judiciary Committee advances six key bills

Briggs announces Judiciary Committee advances six key bills

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 25, 2026 | 11:08 AM

HARRISBURG, JUNE 25 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chairman of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, announced today that the committee has approved several bills aimed at protecting children, strengthening public safety, improving fairness in the legal system and supporting the work of corrections and parole officials.

“These bills tackle real issues affecting communities across Pennsylvania,” Briggs said. “They protect children, support victims of exploitation, improve transparency and fairness and help ensure that important public safety agencies can do their jobs effectively. I’m pleased the committee moved these measures forward so the full House can consider them.”

The bills approved by the committee include:

  • House Bill 1434 (Sponsored by Rep. Amen Brown) would increase penalties for retailers who illegally sell electronic cigarettes and vaping products to minors. Retailers would face fines of up to $5,000 for each violation, and businesses that repeatedly break the law would lose their license after a third offense.
  • House Bill 2273 (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Jones) would require law enforcement agencies to provide clear written information when property is seized through civil asset forfeiture. The notice would explain a person's rights and provide information on how to seek the return of their property through the courts.
  • Senate Bill 45 (Sponsored by Sens. Cris Dush and Maria Collett) would crack down on human trafficking by increasing penalties for traffickers, people who profit from prostitution and those who buy sex. The bill would also give prosecutors and law enforcement stronger tools to go after those who exploit victims and force people into the sex trade.
  • Senate Bill 111 (Sponsored by Sen. David Argall) would eliminate Pennsylvania’s residency requirement for state corrections officers. The change would expand the pool of potential applicants and help address staffing shortages in state correctional facilities.
  • Senate Bill 1235 (Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker) would allow members of the Pennsylvania Parole Board to continue serving beyond the current 90-day limit after their terms expire until a successor is confirmed. The change would help prevent disruptions in the board’s work if appointments or confirmations are delayed.
  • Senate Bill 1259 (Sponsored by Sens. Amanda Cappelletti and Baker) would clarify what parole records can be shared and what information must remain private. The bill would also give people in prison more information about parole decisions while protecting sensitive information and helping ensure the rules are applied consistently.

“These measures reflect careful work to solve problems and improve how our laws operate in practice,” Briggs said. “Whether it’s keeping vaping products away from kids, combating human trafficking, protecting individual rights or supporting the professionals who keep our communities safe, these bills deserve thoughtful consideration by the full House.”

The bills now move to the full House for further consideration.

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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net