Pennsylvania HB1616: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of dealing in infant children; and, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.

What the bill says

Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.

From the introduced text, June 16, 2025:

Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a section to read: § 5988.1. Sentencing considerations for child victim offenders. (a) Court discretion.--Subject to subsection (b), if a child is convicted of an offense in a criminal proceeding following a motion filed by the prosecutor or the defendant and a hearing on the motion and the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that a victim of the child's criminal conduct had, within one year prior to the child's commission of the offense, engaged in, or forced or compelled the child to engage in, prohibited sexual conduct, and the child's commission of the offense was a direct result of the prohibited sexual conduct, or the child acted under the influence of substantial emotional distress during the commission of the offense, the court may: (1) depart from any applicable mandatory minimum sentence or sentencing enhancement; (2) impose a determination of guilt without further penalty; (3) transfer the child's case to the division or a judge of the court assigned to conduct juvenile hearings; or (4) reduce or waive the imposition …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Kyle Donahue (D, 113) · primary sponsor
• Jeanne McNeill (D, 133)
• Hanbidge, Liz (D, 61)
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
• Danilo Burgos (D, 197)
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Roni Green (D, 190)
• Scott Barger (R, 80)
• Carol Kazeem (D, 159)

Latest actions

1. June 22, 2026: Referred to JUDICIARY, June 22, 2026
2. June 22, 2026: In the Senate
3. June 16, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 16, 2026
4. June 16, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, June 16, 2026 (200-2)
5. June 3, 2026: Re-reported as committed, June 3, 2026
6. June 2, 2026: Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 2, 2026
7. June 2, 2026: Second consideration, June 2, 2026
8. June 1, 2026: Removed from table, June 1, 2026
9. May 4, 2026: Laid on the table, May 4, 2026
10. May 4, 2026: First consideration, May 4, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: HB1616, RC 1193 (June 16, 2026): 200 yea, 2 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (June 3, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Judiciary: Report Bill As Amended (May 4, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Judiciary: Adopt Amendment (May 4, 2026): 15 yea, 11 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1616?

HB1616 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in offenses against the family, further providing for the offense of dealing in infant children; and, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.

What does HB1616 do?

In its own words: Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in depositions and witnesses, providing for sentencing considerations for child victim offenders.

What is the status of HB1616?

Passed one chamber as of June 22, 2026. Latest action: Referred to JUDICIARY, June 22, 2026 (June 22, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1616?

Kyle Donahue (D, 113), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1616?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1616