Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HR618: A Resolution directing the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study treatment and support for individuals with mental illnesses, behavioral health disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Autism in Pennsylvania's county jails.
Status: In committee, September 28, 2026
What the bill says
A resolution Directing the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study treatment and support for individuals with mental illnesses, behavioral health disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Autism in Pennsylvania's county jails.
From the introduced text, September 15, 2026:
A RESOLUTION Directing the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study treatment and support for individuals with mental illnesses, behavioral health disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Autism in Pennsylvania's county jails. WHEREAS, Many Pennsylvanians incarcerated in county jails who suffer from mental illness, behavioral health disorders, substance abuse disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities find themselves without crucial supports and medically prescribed healthcare, medications and therapies; and WHEREAS, The number of individuals with mental illness in Pennsylvania has increased; and WHEREAS, Treatment options in county jails are often limited or nonexistent; and WHEREAS, County jails often do not have the resources to provide mental health services; and WHEREAS, County jails are often used as a de facto social worker when social work services are unavailable in the community; and WHEREAS, Incarcerating individuals without the provision of needed and appropriate modes of care may result in incarcerated individuals experiencing deteriorating mental health; and WHEREAS, Upon release from incarceration with worse or untreated mental health issues, formerly incarcerated individuals may pose a larger threat to themselves and to the community than when the individuals were first incarcerated; and WHEREAS, In order to fulfill the Commonwealth's duty to care for these individuals, it is necessary to know the magnitude of the problem, what services are being offered in which facilities and …
Sponsors
- Sean Dougherty (D, 172) · primary sponsor
- Jamie Flick (R, 83)
- Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
- Arvind Venkat (D, 30)
- Jose Giral (D, 180)
- Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
- Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
- Manuel Guzman (D, 127)
- Dan Williams (D, 74)
- Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
- Kristine Howard (D, 167)
- Mandy Steele (D, 33)
Latest actions
- : Reported as committed, Sept. 28, 2026
- : Referred to JUDICIARY, Sept. 15, 2026
Votes
- House Judiciary: Report Bill As Committed (September 24, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HR618?
- HR618 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution directing the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study treatment and support for individuals with mental illnesses, behavioral health disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Autism in Pennsylvania's county jails.
- What does HR618 do?
- In its own words: A resolution Directing the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study treatment and support for individuals with mental illnesses, behavioral health disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Autism in Pennsylvania's county jails.
- What is the status of HR618?
- In committee as of September 28, 2026. Latest action: Reported as committed, Sept. 28, 2026 (September 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored HR618?
- Sean Dougherty (D, 172), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HR618?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr618
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.