PROTECTING PENNSYLVANIA. ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AT A TIME.

POLICIES THAT PROTECT PENNSYLVANIA

DEFEND  THE
TRADITION.

Public safety does not happen by accident. It requires strong laws, accountable leadership, and a justice system that puts victims and law-abiding families first.

Alliance Protecting Pennsylvania advocates for commonsense policies that hold violent and repeat offenders accountable, support law enforcement and prosecutors, protect victims, and make our communities safer.

On this page, we highlight legislation and policy reforms that advance those principles and explain why they matter to Pennsylvania families.

Because safer communities start with better policy.

SB 1400: PROTECT VICTIMS. PRESERVE ACCOUNTABILITY. 

Pennsylvania needs a responsible solution on second-degree murder sentencing.

In March 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Lee that Pennsylvania could no longer automatically impose life without parole for every second-degree murder conviction without considering the individual offender's culpability. The decision upended Pennsylvania's existing sentencing structure and required lawmakers to develop a new approach.

Senate Bill 1400 provides that solution.

SB 1400 creates a sentencing framework designed to comply with the court's decision while maintaining serious consequences for serious crimes and protecting the rights of victims and their families.

WHAT SB 1400 DOES

Under SB 1400:

• Second-degree murder would generally carry a sentence of 35 years to life.
• Life without parole would remain available for the most serious offenders when the defendant caused the victim's death and specified aggravating circumstances are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Courts would have limited discretion to impose a sentence below 35 years for offenders who meet strict criteria demonstrating substantially reduced culpability.
• Individuals currently serving life sentences for second-degree murder could generally become eligible for parole after serving at least 35 years, or after serving at least 20 years if they are age 70 or older.
• Judges and the Parole Board would be required to consider factors including the offender's culpability, the seriousness of the crime, public safety, and the impact on victims and their families.

WHY WE SUPPORT SB 1400

Justice should recognize differences in culpability. But reform should never come at the expense of victims or public safety.

SB 1400 strikes that balance.

It gives courts the ability to distinguish between offenders while preserving severe punishment for the most dangerous and culpable criminals. It creates a consistent statewide process, gives victims a meaningful voice, and makes protection of the public a central consideration.

That is the kind of criminal justice reform Pennsylvania needs: fair, responsible, and firmly grounded in accountability.

The legislation has also received support from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police.

STATUS:

Passed Pennsylvania Senate: 30-20

Current Status: House Judiciary Committee

Last Legislative Action: June 26, 2026

THE HOUSE SHOULD ACT.

Pennsylvania deserves a clear sentencing law that protects communities, respects victims, and holds violent offenders accountable.

Tell lawmakers to support SB 1400.

Stand In Support Of SB 1400

Add your name to the growing ranks of Pennsylvanians who are stepping up to restore law, order, and accountability—at the ballot box, in the legislature, and in every political fight that matters.