Harrisburg – July 9, 2026 – The Pennsylvania legislature unanimously passed Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti’s (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) Senate Bill 1259 earlier this month, which will establish clear rules governing records and information related to the parole review process.
This bipartisan legislation, co-prime sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20, Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) unanimously passed the Pennsylvania State Senate on Tuesday, June 2, and unanimously passed the Pennsylvania State House on Tuesday, June 30. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
“Facilitating meaningful change within 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 individuals seeking parole,” said Senator Cappelletti, Democratic Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Recent developments in Pennsylvania law have created uncertainty regarding which parole review records are accessible to the public and incarcerated individuals following a denial of parole. This ambiguity has increased the risk of inconsistent disclosure, subsidiary litigation, and threats to the safety of individuals connected to these records.
Senate Bill 1259 will eliminate this ambiguity by providing a narrow and tailored privilege for records used during the parole decision making process. Simultaneously, this legislation will improve transparency for incarcerated individuals by requiring the Parole Board to provide those denied parole with clear areas of emphasis they can work on to improve their chances at earning parole. These areas include programming, behavior, and compliance standards.
“Board members must be able to conduct candid and thorough deliberations without concern that their internal discussions will be made public,” said Senator Baker, Majority Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This legislation restores important protections for confidential parole board records while ensuring inmates receive meaningful feedback about parole decisions. We must preserve the integrity of the parole process and support the board’s ability to make informed decisions that keep our communities safe.”
“This bipartisan measure strikes a balance between upholding confidentiality while providing those who seek parole with real information, real direction, and a real opportunity for growth as they navigate an often-unclear parole review process,”said Senator Cappelletti. “I am proud to have earned my colleagues’ support on this important issue and am eager to continue the work in creating a fairer, more just system here in our Commonwealth.”
Read more about Senate Bill 1259.
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