Bill Text: PA HR414 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to study the issues relating to juveniles with life sentences.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-09-28 - Referred to JUDICIARY [HR414 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR414-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2432
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 414 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY WATERS, V. BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, SWANGER, D. COSTA, FABRIZIO, GIBBONS, JOHNSON, M. O'BRIEN, PAYTON AND YOUNGBLOOD, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee to study the issues relating to juveniles
with life sentences.
WHEREAS, In the United States, more than 2,500 individuals
are serving life sentences without possibility of parole after
being convicted of crimes committed while they were juveniles;
and
WHEREAS, Eighty-two percent of these individuals are people
of color; and
WHEREAS, No other nation in the world sentences juveniles to
life without possibility of parole; and
WHEREAS, The sentencing of juveniles to life without
possibility of parole violates three international treaties,
including the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination; and
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WHEREAS, Twenty-six percent of individuals sentenced to life
without possibility of parole as juveniles were convicted of
felony murder and were not the perpetrators of murder, and in
some instances are serving life sentences while those who
actually were the murderers have served their sentences and have
been released; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has 369 individuals serving life
sentences after being convicted as juveniles, significantly more
than any other state; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is one of thirteen states that can
apply a life sentence with no age minimum; and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court banned the
sentencing of juveniles to death as cruel and unusual
punishment; and
WHEREAS, Recent neurological research indicates that the
brain areas involved in decision making, delayed gratification
and reasoning are not fully matured until an individual reaches
at least 20 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Juveniles serving life sentences are at much greater
risk for being victims of suicide, assault and rape while in
prison; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
to study the issue of juveniles being sentenced to life without
the possibility of parole, to compare the public safety record
of states that use sanctions other than life without parole for
juveniles committing capital offenses, to investigate the causes
of Pennsylvania sentencing more children to life without parole
than any other governmental agency in the world and to
investigate alternatives to meting out life sentences for
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juveniles; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee be comprised of
approximately 30 members and include persons representing all
relevant aspects of the juvenile justice, criminal justice and
social welfare systems, representatives of academia, the faith
community, psychologists and neuroscientists, juvenile justice
advocates, private and public organizations involved in criminal
justice and social welfare issues, former offenders and other
persons who have an interest and expertise in the issue of
juvenile lifers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee report to the House of
Representatives with its findings and recommendations not later
than one year from the date that this resolution is adopted.
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