House passes bill to expand medical‑release process for sick incarcerated people, sponsors say it will save money

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House voted to pass House Bill 150 on final passage after floor debate about compassionate release procedures for incarcerated people with serious medical conditions.

Representative Peter Kojewski, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the chamber the measure would fix a "broken" compassionate‑release process by creating clearer judicial standards and allowing victims, district attorneys and the Department of Corrections to provide input. He cited several cases of incarcerated people who died while waiting for release and said the bill would create an "effective, comprehensive judicial process for reviewing and granting release." "House Bill 150 is a sensible bipartisan reform to this broken policy," Kojewski said.

Supporters said the bill would save taxpayer dollars. Kojewski referenced the Department of Corrections' fiscal‑note estimate that the change could reduce annual costs by roughly $15,000,000.

Opponents raised concerns that the bill’s definitions (such as "life‑threatening" or "life‑limiting" illness) are too broad, potentially allowing the release of individuals convicted of serious crimes or shifting costs to Medicaid and hospitals. Representative Lawrence said the measure as written could permit broad eligibility and described that as unacceptable; Representative Grupa warned the bill could increase homelessness and strain local health systems.

The final tally on the House floor was yeas 111, nays 92. The clerk recorded the bill as passed and to be sent to the Senate for further action.

Ending: The House concluded the debate and advanced the bill to the Senate; sponsors and opponents urged follow‑up work to clarify definitions and implementation details.