Concerns Persist for Felony Murder Sentencing

State Rep. Mike ARmanini Explains Why he opposed House Bill 1042 in its amended form and why I believe the actions taken by House Democrats have put public safety and victims’ rights at risk.

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the state’s mandatory life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder was unconstitutional. The Court gave the General Assembly 120 days to establish new sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder, which is commonly known as felony murder. That deadline was July 24.

Rather than moving forward with a bipartisan solution that had already advanced through the Senate and sufficiently addressed the Court’s ruling, House Democrat leadership waited until the final days before the deadline and dramatically changed the legislation. What began as a bill I supported — one focused on strengthening Pennsylvania’s commitment to reducing recidivism—was transformed into legislation that goes far beyond what the Court required.