Bill > HB2744

This bill amends Pennsylvania law regarding probation by updating the rules judges must follow when dealing with "technical violations," which are typically rule-breaking actions—such as missing a meeting with a probation officer, failing a drug test, or traveling without permission—rather than committing a brand-new crime. Under existing law, when a person on probation commits these technical violations, courts face a general presumption against "total confinement" (meaning sending someone to prison or jail) and must follow strict caps on jail time if confinement is ordered. Specifically, the bill clarifies grammatical language regarding multiple violations found at a single hearing and maintains the tiered sentencing limits that restrict jail time to a maximum of 14 days for a first revocation hearing involving technical violations, up to a maximum of 30 days for a second hearing, and allows standard sentencing alternatives for a third or subsequent hearing while requiring judges to consider the defendant's employment status before imposing any prison sentence.