Bill > SB369

This bill establishes comprehensive new requirements for the use of informant testimony in criminal proceedings in Pennsylvania, aimed at improving transparency and reliability of such testimony. The legislation mandates that prosecutors must disclose detailed information about informants at least 30 days before a trial, including their criminal history, cooperation agreements, and any benefits they might receive. The bill requires a special reliability hearing where a court must evaluate the informant's testimony based on factors like the specificity of their statements and how their testimony is corroborated by other evidence. If the prosecution cannot demonstrate the informant's testimony is reliable by a preponderance of the evidence, the court may prohibit the testimony. The bill also requires prosecutors to make reasonable efforts to notify victims when informants receive benefits like charge reductions or plea bargains, and mandates that prosecuting entities maintain a confidential internal database of informant information for 20 years. An informant is defined specifically as someone testifying about admissions made while detained, excluding codefendants or confidential informants who do not provide direct testimony. The new law will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing time for legal entities to prepare for the new requirements.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=369