Pennsylvania HB138: An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for grounds for involuntary termination; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of dependent child.

What the bill says

From the amended text, June 17, 2026:

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 2253, 3481 PRINTER'S NO. 3645 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY KRAJEWSKI, SANCHEZ, CONKLIN, McNEILL, FIEDLER, KHAN, HOWARD, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, ISAACSON, FLEMING, GREEN, BOROWSKI, BOYD, MAYES AND MADDEN, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 17, 2026 Amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for grounds for involuntary termination; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of dependent child. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 2511(b) of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: § 2511. Grounds for involuntary termination. * * * (b) Other considerations.-- (1) The court in terminating the rights of a parent shall give primary consideration to the developmental, physical and emotional needs and welfare of the child. (2) The rights of a parent shall not be terminated solely on the basis of: (i) environmental factors such as inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing and medical care if found to be beyond the control of the parent[.]; or (ii) unless parental rights are terminated under subsection (a)(9) or (10) (A)(9), (10) OR (11) , parental incarceration. (3) With respect to …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Rick Krajewski (D, 188) · primary sponsor
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Jeanne McNeill (D, 133)
• Elizabeth Fiedler (D, 184)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Kristine Howard (D, 167)
• Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D, 129)
• Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
• Mary Isaacson (D, 175)
• Justin Fleming (D, 105)
• Roni Green (D, 190)

Latest actions

1. June 25, 2026: Referred to JUDICIARY, June 25, 2026
2. June 25, 2026: In the Senate
3. June 22, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 22, 2026
4. June 22, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, June 22, 2026 (200-2)
5. June 22, 2026: Re-reported as committed, June 22, 2026
6. June 17, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 17, 2026
7. June 17, 2026: Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 17, 2026
8. June 17, 2026: Second consideration, with amendments, June 17, 2026
9. June 17, 2026: Re-reported as committed, June 17, 2026
10. June 2, 2026: Re-committed to RULES, June 2, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: HB0138, RC 1224 (June 22, 2026): 200 yea, 2 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (June 22, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Rules: Re-report Bill As Committed (June 17, 2026): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Floor: HB0138, RC 1209 (June 17, 2026): 202 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Children & Youth: Report Bill As Amended (June 2, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Children & Youth: Adopt Amendment (June 2, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB138?

HB138 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for grounds for involuntary termination; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for disposition of dependent child.

What is the status of HB138?

Passed one chamber as of June 25, 2026. Latest action: Referred to JUDICIARY, June 25, 2026 (June 25, 2026).

Who sponsored HB138?

Rick Krajewski (D, 188), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB138?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb138