Public Hearing on Accountability, Justice in Second-Degree Murder Sentencing

September 16, 2026

WHAT: House Republican Policy Committee Chairman David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), Rep. Brett Miller (R-Lancaster), and other lawmakers will host a hearing titled “Protecting Pennsylvania: Accountability and Justice in Second-Degree Murder Sentencing” to examine how Pennsylvania can establish a statutory second-degree murder sentencing framework that holds offenders accountable, protects the public, and gives victims’ families a meaningful voice.

WHO: Testifiers will include F. Lee Francis, assistant professor of law, Widener University Commonwealth Law School; Travis Anderson, first assistant district attorney, Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office; Deanna Weaver, director of victim/witness services, Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office; and the Honorable David L. Ashworth (Ret.), former president judge of the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m.

WHERE: West Hempfield Township Building, 3476 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601.

LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the hearing will be streamed at facebook.com/policycmte and tiktok.com/@policy_committee.

Media contact: Nancy Nilson, nnilson@pahousegop.com