Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB648

Introduced

2/20/25

Refer

2/20/25

Caption

In criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death.

Impact

If enacted, HB648 would fundamentally change the legal landscape regarding drug-related offenses in Pennsylvania. It restricts the defenses available to defendants, ensuring that even if the drug user voluntarily consumed the substance, the supplier remains liable for the resulting death. This amendment signifies a legislative intent to combat the opioid crisis by imposing harsher penalties and could lead to an increase in prosecutions for drug offenses, thus impacting both law enforcement and individuals involved in drug distribution. The bill also highlights an effort to address drug-related fatalities more seriously and systematically under state law.

Summary

House Bill 648 aims to amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically concerning the offense of drug delivery resulting in death. This bill puts forth stricter penalties for individuals who intentionally deliver controlled substances when the recipient suffers fatal consequences from their use. By classifying such acts as a felony of the first degree, it seeks to hold distributors accountable for the outcomes of their actions, thereby aiming to deter drug-related fatalities within the state. The inclusion of specific defenses against claims of voluntary drug use is particularly notable, indicating a shift toward prosecuting those who supply drugs regardless of the circumstances surrounding the drug use of the victim.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB648 is largely aimed at creating a safer community by reducing drug-related deaths. Proponents of the bill argue that it reinforces the responsibility of drug suppliers and aims to address the opioid epidemic head-on. However, some opposition may arise regarding concerns about the fairness of imposing severe penalties, especially in cases where the victim's actions played a significant role. Thus, while the bill is positioned as a public safety measure, it may also raise questions about justice and fairness within the legal system regarding drug delivery incidents.

Contention

A significant point of contention regarding HB648 will likely revolve around the balance between accountability and fairness in legal proceedings involving drug-related fatalities. Critics may argue that the inability to use voluntary use as a defense could lead to unjust outcomes, especially in complex cases where the user had prior knowledge of the drug risks. The legislative discussions might also delve into the implications of such a law on community relations with law enforcement and how it could affect drug users and their families. Overall, the bill can evoke debates on public health, criminal justice, and personal responsibility.

Latest PA HB648 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session HB648

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1900

In criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death.

PA SB235

In criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; and

PA HB1326

In criminal homicide, repealing provisions relating to the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; in assault, providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death or serious bodily injury; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for additional fine for arson committed for profit; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; in limitation of time, further providing for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses.

PA SB600

PA SB87

In criminal proceedings, further providing for other offenses.

PA HB999

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.

PA HB2163

In other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA SB533

In other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

PA SB1021

In burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of criminal trespass; and, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of endangering welfare of children.