Additional Voting Time Must Be Used to Protect Crime Victims, White Says

July 22, 2026

HARRISBURG - House Democrats have yielded to pressure from Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) and her Republican colleagues from greater Philadelphia by signaling plans to vote on legislation affecting the sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder.

The newly scheduled voting session Thursday, July 23, is supposed to address a measure to establish a sentencing framework for future convictions, while creating a carefully balanced parole review process for individuals currently serving mandatory life sentences.

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the Commonwealth's mandatory life sentence for second-degree murder, commonly known as felony murder, is unconstitutional. The Court gave the General Assembly 120 days to address sentencing for this offense through updates to the Crimes Code.

That deadline is Friday, July 24.

"It is unconscionable the House adjourned for the summer without addressing this pressing matter. Victims' families from across the state need us to take swift action so that convicted murderers are not being released from incarceration in a piecemeal manner county by county," White said.

Attorney General Dave Sunday estimates 1,100 inmates are currently serving life sentences after being convicted of second-degree murder. More than 500 of them are from criminal cases originating in Philadelphia.

White said her hope is the House overwhelmingly approves a Senate-amended version of House Bill 1042 to effectively address the Court's ruling. House Bill 1042 is the logical pathway to meeting the deadline effectively and does not require the Senate to return to session before the legislation goes to Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Second-degree murder applies when an individual participates in certain dangerous felonies, including robbery, rape or arson, that result in another person's death. Even if the individual did not personally cause the fatal injury, Pennsylvania law has long recognized those who willingly participate in violent felonies that lead to a loss of life must be held accountable.

Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6563
[email protected]
www.RepWhite.com / www.facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite