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For Immediate
Release
6/29/09
- Senator Baker
Appropriations Committee Endorses Juvenile
Court Study
Approves legislation barring death penalty for mentally disabled
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill establishing a special
commission charged with conducting a comprehensive study of Pennsylvania’s
juvenile court system, according to Committee Chairman Senator Jake Corman
(R-34).
The committee also approved legislation barring the imposition of the death
penalty in cases of mental retardation, according to Senator Corman.
Senate Bill 949, sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), would prevent
further cases of corruption in county juvenile courts and restore public
confidence by establishing an Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice.
"The need for this study was made clear by the events in Luzerne County,
where judges misused their position when it came to the sentencing of juvenile
offenders," Senator Corman said. "I commend Senator Baker for drafting this
legislation. We need to take the appropriate steps to prevent what occurred in
Luzerne County from happening again anywhere in Pennsylvania."
Senator Baker said the legislation was drafted in response to an alarming
case of corruption uncovered in Luzerne County, which resulted in hundreds of
juveniles being improperly sentenced and inappropriately placed in detention.
"Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system is well-regarded, filled with good
and dedicated individuals. However, there is a cloud over the system as a
result of what happened in Luzerne County," Baker told the committee. "We must
prevent this from ever happening again, and we must protect the constitutional
rights of juveniles as they work their way through the system."
The Committee also approved
Senate Bill 628, sponsored by Senator Mary Jo White (R-21), which would
prohibit the imposition of the death penalty on a person with mental
retardation. It also establishes a procedure for determining that a defendant is
a person with mental retardation.
The Senate approved the measure last session as Senate Bill 751, but the
legislation stalled in the House.
Contact:
Anna Fitzsimmons
(717) 787-1377
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