Pennsylvania HB2856: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, further providing for right to bail.

What the bill says

Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, further providing for right to bail.

From the introduced text, October 14, 2026:

Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, further providing for right to bail. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 5701 of Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: § 5701. Right to bail. (a) Bail.--All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless: (1) for capital offenses or for offenses for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment; or (2) no condition or combination of conditions other than imprisonment will reasonably assure the safety of any person and the community when the proof is evident or presumption great. (b) Public safety factors.--In determining whether subsection (a)(2) applies to a defendant charged with a felony, the court shall consider, in addition to any other relevant factor, whether the defendant: (1) Has previously been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in section 9714(g) (relating to sentences for second and subsequent offenses) or an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 (relating to burglary). (2) Has previously been convicted of an offense under any of the following provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses): (i) Section 2701(a)(2) (relating to simple assault). (ii) Section 4952 (relating to intimidation of witnesses or victims). (iii) Section 4953 (relating to retaliation against …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jeremy Shaffer (R, 28) · primary sponsor
• Valerie Gaydos (R, 44)
• Andrew Kuzma (R, 39)
• Natalie Mihalek (R, 40)
• Jason Ortitay (R, 46)
• Robert KAUFFMAN (R, 089)

Latest actions

1. October 14, 2026: Referred to JUDICIARY, Oct. 14, 2026

Common questions

What is HB2856?

HB2856 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, further providing for right to bail.

What does HB2856 do?

In its own words: Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, further providing for right to bail.

What is the status of HB2856?

In committee as of October 14, 2026. Latest action: Referred to JUDICIARY, Oct. 14, 2026 (October 14, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2856?

Jeremy Shaffer (R, 28), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2856?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2856