PRINTER'S NO. 1044
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.133
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY RABB, FLICK, KHAN, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS,
SCHLOSSBERG, OTTEN, MADDEN, KENYATTA, SANCHEZ AND DEASY,
MARCH 19, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 19, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study of problem-solving courts in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Problem-solving courts aim to provide supervision of
the treatment and rehabilitation of select defendants to
positively transform their behavior; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 150 independent problem-solving courts
operate in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Gaps in credentialing requirements and studies
conducted on problem-solving courts present an opportunity to
assess the cost, operation and impact of those courts to ensure
that they offer equal access, meaningful second chances and
economically feasible solutions; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study of problem-
solving courts in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include:
(1) a description of each type of problem-solving court
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(2) the process by which problem-solving courts are
established in this Commonwealth;
(3) the number of accredited courts in this Commonwealth
by type of court; and
(4) the accreditation process for each type of problem-
solving court;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include data collected from each
type of problem-solving court, including:
(1) the number of cases referred to each type of
problem-solving court;
(2) the process by which defendants are granted
admission to, assigned to and discharged from the various
kinds of courts, including data on the key decision makers
and, if applicable, risk assessment factors involved in
admissions decisions; and
(3) the age, gender, race, ethnicity and other available
demographics of defendants involved in problem-solving
courts;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include data on the funding and
costs of operating problem-solving courts compared to the
funding and costs of traditional courts, including the cost to
defendants of participating in such courts and the cost of the
services as compared to the costs of incarceration; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the study include an analysis of how the
outcomes of problem-solving courts are measured compared to the
outcomes of traditional courts, including:
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(2) where documented and applicable, the impact that
completing problem-solving court obligations has on an
individual's financial, educational, health and employment
status;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include a review of nationally
recognized best practices for problem-solving courts and whether
the Commonwealth's system meets those standards.
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