Bill > HB248

This bill makes several changes to laws related to human trafficking, enforcement, sentencing, and the collection of restitution, fines, and costs in Pennsylvania. Key provisions include: - Requiring restitution payments to be collected and distributed according to existing laws on the collection of restitution, fines, and penalties. - Providing courts with discretion to waive or reduce fines and costs based on a defendant's ability to pay, and prohibiting incarceration solely for inability to pay. - Establishing guidelines for installment payment plans based on the defendant's income level, and allowing community service in lieu of fines, costs, or restitution. - Repealing provisions related to suspending driver's licenses for failure to respond to citations or pay fines and costs. - Requiring the court to conduct ability-to-pay analyses before imposing fines or costs, and providing a process for defendants to challenge their payment obligations. - Limiting the court's ability to hold defendants in contempt or imprison them for nonpayment beyond certain time periods. Overall, the bill aims to reform the system for collecting fines, costs, and restitution in order to make it more equitable and based on the defendant's financial means.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2021&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=248