Bill > HB166

This bill modifies the sentencing procedure for first-degree murder cases in Pennsylvania by adding the legal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" to the jury's decision-making process when determining whether aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances. Specifically, the bill amends Section 9711(c)(1)(iv) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to require that when a jury is considering whether to impose the death penalty, they must unanimously find at least one aggravating circumstance and either find no mitigating circumstances or find that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. If the jury cannot make this determination to the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, they must impose a sentence of life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. This change adds a higher legal standard of proof to the jury's sentencing deliberations, potentially making death penalty sentences more difficult to impose. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=166