Bill > HB1671

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to formally incorporate restorative justice practices into the judicial system, allowing courts to consider it as a sentencing alternative or an additional sentence. Restorative justice is defined as a process, such as a conference or circle, where those who have caused harm, those who have been harmed, and community members gather with a trained facilitator to identify and repair harm, address trauma, and strengthen community ties. The bill also outlines specific definitions for terms like "accountability," "community conference," and "facilitator," and establishes that restorative justice can be used as a pretrial diversion for offenders, particularly for low-level, non-violent offenses, first-time offenders, minors, and individuals with specific educational needs or mental health diagnoses, provided all parties involved, including the district attorney and the offender, consent. This approach emphasizes repairing harm and holding offenders accountable outside of the traditional criminal justice system, with provisions for confidentiality unless certain exceptions apply, such as the commission of a new offense or the mandatory reporting of child abuse.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1671