Dauphin News

The Pennsylvania Senate has moved forward with three legislative measures aimed at bolstering crime prevention across the state. These efforts are part of the ongoing commitment to enhance community safety, as outlined by Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).

Bartolotta noted the changing landscape of community safety in her statement: “Children today cannot enjoy the same carefree neighborhood experiences that our generations were accustomed to. It is a sad reality that we all live in an increasingly dangerous and scary world. As legislators, it is our duty to continue taking measures to equip our communities with the security needed to mitigate these dangers,” Bartolotta said. She expressed pride in advancing the legislation by adding, “I am proud that we have advanced three bills that would help take back some of that lost innocence.”

The Senate has approved the following bills:

- Senate Bill 92 outlines stricter penalties for fentanyl-related offenses. This bill mandates a minimum 25-year sentence for anyone distributing fentanyl that results in a fatal overdose, aiming to deliver a stern message against those exacerbating the opioid crisis.

- Senate Bill 471 mandates that prosecutors notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a criminal defendant is unlawfully present in the U.S. It also seeks to eliminate sanctuary policies that hinder communication between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

- Senate Bill 490 seeks to restrict non-monetary bail for particularly dangerous criminals, including individuals in possession of significant amounts of fentanyl, those with violent crime histories, or those who assault law enforcement officers.

The Senate hopes these legislative actions will reinforce the state's efforts to maintain law and order while providing law enforcement the necessary tools to maintain safety and justice in Pennsylvania.

For further information, Katrina Hanna can be contacted at 717-787-1463.