Bill > SB627

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for reporting deaths of individuals in custody in Pennsylvania, creating a new chapter in the state's judicial procedures. The legislation requires that any responsible individual or entity (such as law enforcement, jails, prisons, or correctional facilities) must report deaths of individuals in custody to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency on a monthly basis, including deaths that occur within three days of release from custody in a medical facility. The bill creates a Deaths in Custody Review Panel within the commission, composed of diverse members including health professionals, legal experts, corrections representatives, and social service providers, tasked with reviewing death cases, identifying trends, and proposing recommendations to prevent future deaths. Agencies that fail to report deaths will face penalties of up to $1,000 per day of non-reporting, and the bill mandates annual compliance reports to the General Assembly. The panel is granted broad authority to access medical records, court documents, and other relevant information while maintaining strict confidentiality of individual identities. Starting December 1, 2026, the commission must submit detailed compliance reports, and death certificates will include a section to indicate if a person died while in custody. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in tracking and understanding deaths that occur within the custody of law enforcement and correctional systems.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=627