Bill > HB1671

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to introduce restorative justice as a sentencing option for courts. Specifically, the legislation allows judges to sentence a defendant to restorative justice either as an exclusive sentence or in addition to other forms of punishment like confinement or probation, depending on the nature of the crime and the defendant's background. The bill defines restorative justice as a structured gathering that brings together individuals who caused harm, those who were harmed, community stakeholders, and a trained facilitator, with the goal of identifying and repairing harm, addressing trauma, reducing future harm, and strengthening community ties through a collaborative process. The bill introduces new terms like "circle" (a practice to build relationships or respond to wrongdoing), "conference" (a structured meeting to address consequences of harm), and "facilitator" (a trained individual who guides the restorative justice process). By adding restorative justice to the sentencing alternatives in Section 9721, the bill provides courts with a more flexible and community-focused approach to addressing criminal behavior, emphasizing healing and rehabilitation over purely punitive measures. The legislation 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=1671