Pennsylvania Lawmakers Miss Deadline to Overhaul Murder Sentencing

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in March that mandatory life without parole for second-degree murder violates the state constitution and gave lawmakers a July 24 deadline to create a new sentencing framework. The Senate passed a bipartisan bill proposing a 35‑year mandatory minimum and a parole pathway, but the House has not taken action. Attorney General Dave Sunday warned that inaction would leave courts without guidelines and could release inmates serving life sentences without victims’ input. About 1,100 prisoners are currently serving life terms for second-degree murder. If the deadline passes, judges will have to impose sentences case‑by‑case, likely prompting hundreds of resentencing petitions. Governor Josh Shapiro said he supports the court’s decision and hopes legislators reach a compromise. Chief Justice Debra Todd wrote, “While we have a clear obligation to ensure that constitutional bounds are not crossed, we may not act as legislators…,” underscoring the urgency of legislative action.