Pugh: We Failed the Families of Victims
July 24, 2026
HARRISBURG – Rep. Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) issued this statement following the vote on House Bill 1042, legislation that addresses the sentencing of those convicted of murder of the second degree:
“To say I am disappointed is an understatement. Yesterday the majority party sided with violent criminals. House Bill 1042 is nothing more than a soft-on-crime bill that will put public safety at risk and disregard the rights of victims and their families.”
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the Commonwealth’s mandatory life sentence for second-degree murder, commonly known as felony murder, is unconstitutional. The court gave the General Assembly 120 days to address sentencing through updates to the Crimes Code.
To address the ruling, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1400, bipartisan legislation which would establish a constitutional sentencing framework for second-degree murder while creating a structured parole process that preserves accountability and strengthens victims' rights during parole proceedings.
“What is most frustrating is that the House waited until the 119th day to take it up. That left virtually no time for meaningful public review or careful consideration of sweeping amendments that went far beyond what the court required,” Pugh continued.
“Instead of a narrow constitutional fix, House Bill 1042 was transformed through last-minute amendments into a bill that includes broad medical release provisions, creates additional legal avenues for incarcerated offenders to seek relief and makes significant policy changes that deserved their own hearings and debate. The legislation could affect more than 1,100 individuals currently serving life sentences for second-degree murder in Pennsylvania. Victims’ families who believed these cases were resolved decades ago and made promises that these criminals would never again be on our streets may now face repeated court proceedings, often with limited time to respond. Even more concerning, many families may not receive notice because they are not enrolled in the victim notification system after so many years.
“We owe victims and their families better than a rushed process on legislation of this magnitude. Justice is about protecting public safety, preserving accountability and ensuring the voices of victims are never forgotten. They deserved a transparent process and thoughtful debate, not major policy changes made at the last minute.”
House Bill 1042 now goes back to the state Senate for consideration.
Editor’s Note: Rep. Pugh recorded two video comments that are available for viewing and distribution. To download the clips, follow the link, click the three dots in the lower right corner of the screen and select download. Video One. Video Two.
Representative Brenda Pugh
120th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
717.260.6522
mefox@pahousegop.com