Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

December 30, 2025

Proposal to Grant Early Release to Ill Prisoners Needs Sharpened

Compassion and public safety should never be at odds—yet that’s the tightrope House Bill 150 is trying to walk.

In the 55th district, I hear from constituents who want to see mercy extended to elderly or gravely ill state prison inmates who no longer pose a threat, while others worry that a well-intentioned reform could unintentionally undermine justice for victims of serious crimes.

The truth is; this issue demands careful balance, not a broad-brush approach.

Earlier this month, House Bill 150 passed the House with bipartisan support, 111-92. The bill seeks to broaden Pennsylvania’s existing compassionate release process, also known as medical release or sentence modification, allowing more incarcerated individuals with serious medical conditions to petition the courts for early release.

I studied the legislation thoroughly and voted no. While I recognize the intent of providing relief to those who are gravely ill and pose no ongoing threat to public safety, and I appreciate the bipartisan effort to address the challenges of an aging prison population, the current version falls short in critical ways.

I strongly support a clearer, more efficient pathway for inmates with terminal illnesses with defined prognosis timelines, such as 12- or 18-month life expectancy, to seek court approval for release, especially when prison care cannot meet their needs.

However, the bill’s definitions of qualifying conditions are overly broad and could apply to far more individuals than intended. It includes:

•   Terminal illnesses that reduce life expectancy, without specifying a prognosis.
•   Serious illnesses or life-threatening conditions better treated outside prison.
•   Serious functional or cognitive impairments, or deteriorating physical or mental health due to aging, that prevent activities of daily living.

These definitions lack precision and the door could be open to petitions for release from individuals whose health issues do not rise to the intended level of true medical necessity. 

For example, the phrase “deteriorating physical or mental health” could include normal, age-related cognitive changes. “Serious functional or cognitive impairment” might include conditions like anxiety, depression, or even manageable chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.

Compounding these concerns, the bill does not include meaningful public safety guardrails. There are no restrictions on sentence length or seriousness of conviction, therefore, those convicted of violent crimes, such as murder or rape, or those serving life sentences or even on death row, could seek release. While courts would ultimately decide petitions, the absence of these important exclusions create unnecessary risks and undermines public confidence in the system.

Data shows that over 27% of Pennsylvania’s nearly 39,000 inmates are geriatric, many with chronic conditions. Caring for them in prisons, which are not equipped as long-term medical facilities, costs taxpayers an estimated $34 million annually, with broader prison medical spending reaching hundreds of millions.

Pennsylvania’s existing compassionate release mechanism is narrow and underutilized, and a better process could yield cost savings and demonstrate true compassion while maintaining confidence that serious criminals receive appropriate punishment. With clearer definitions, stronger guardrails to protect public safety, and perhaps additional requirements, such as demonstrated rehabilitation or victim input, House Bill 150 would come closer to meeting such important priorities.

As the bill now moves to the Senate, there is a real opportunity to add these necessary protections and clearer definitions, so the proposal achieves its compassionate intent without compromising public safety. While I could not vote in favor of House Bill 150 in its current form, I look forward to reviewing the Senate’s amendments and hope the final version will allow me to support it.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Join Me at an Open House – My staff and I are looking forward to hosting open house events at my local offices! Gather with us to enjoy refreshments, discuss what is happening in Harrisburg and here in the district and learn how my office can help you. The upcoming events include:

•   New Kensington Office - Thursday, Jan. 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 356 Freeport St., Ste. 100, in New Kensington.

•   Washington Twp./Export Office – Thursday, Jan. 29 10 a.m. to noon,105 Pfeffer Road, Ste. 5 in Export.

PHEAA Announces Financial Aid Webinars - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting several free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families in correctly completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The webinars are planned as follows:

•   FAFSA Overview – Line by Line: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6-7 p.m., and Wednesday, March 11, 6-7 p.m. 

•   FAFSA Completion Workshop: Thursday, Jan. 22, 5-7 p.m., and Tuesday, April 21, 5-7 p.m.

PHEAA also provides free FAFSA resources online and offers a free FAFSA toolkit to aid counselors and partners in assisting students and families with FAFSA completion. To access these resources, register for the webinars, visit pheaa.org/virtual. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com