Harrisburg – July 9, 2026 – The Pennsylvania legislature passed unanimously Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti’s (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) Senate Bill 1259 earlier this month that will establish clear rules governing documentation and information related to the parole review process.
This is cross-party legislation, sponsored by the co-prime minister Senator Lisa Baker (R-20, Luzerna/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) on Tuesday, June 2, it passed the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously, and on Tuesday, June 30, it was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania State House. The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.
“Facilitating meaningful change in our criminal justice system remains at the top of my priority list. This legislation brings us closer to creating a parole review system that effectively balances public safety with transparency and provides tangible steps forward for incarcerated people seeking parole,” he said Senator Cappelletti, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Recent changes in Pennsylvania law have created uncertainty as to which parole review records are available to the public and to those incarcerated after being denied parole. This ambiguity increased the risk of inconsistent disclosure, additional legal proceedings and threats to the safety of those associated with these documents.
Senate Bill 1259 would eliminate this ambiguity by providing narrow and tailored privileges for documents used in the parole decision-making process. At the same time, this legislation will improve transparency for people serving time in prison by requiring the Parole Board to provide people who have been refused parole with clear areas they can work on to improve their chances of being granted parole. These areas include programming, behavior and compliance standards.
“Board members must be able to conduct honest and thorough deliberations without fear that their internal discussions will be made public.” said Senator Baker, majority chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This legislation restores important protections for the parole board’s confidential records while providing inmates with meaningful feedback on parole decisions. We must maintain the integrity of the parole process and support the board’s ability to make informed decisions that keep our communities safe.”
“This bipartisan solution strikes a balance between maintaining confidentiality while providing parole applicants with real information, real direction and real opportunities for advancement during the often confusing parole review process,” he added.said Senator Cappelletti. “I am proud to have gained the support of my colleagues on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work to create a more equitable system here in our commonwealth.”
To read more on Senate Bill 1259.
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