State representative urges Montgomery County to press House leaders on sentencing bill before July 24 deadline

State Representative Donna Shuren (District 147) addressed the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners during public comment on July 16 and called on the county to use its influence with state lawmakers to press the House Judiciary Committee to act before a July 24 deadline tied to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision.

Shuren said the court’s March ruling in Commonwealth v. Lee found the current sentencing framework for second-degree murder unconstitutional and that the court stayed its ruling until July 24 to allow the General Assembly time to craft a constitutional replacement. She said the Senate responded with bipartisan legislation (Senate Bill 1400) that would create a constitutional sentencing framework while establishing structured parole procedures and strengthening victims’ rights. Shuren said the bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on June 26 but had not yet been scheduled for consideration there.

"If the General Assembly does not act by July 24 the court's ruling will take full effect, necessitating reviews of 1,165 existing felony murder sentences," Shuren said, noting direct outreach from the Montgomery County District Attorney urging action and warning of the local burden if the house fails to act.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timing and the legislative process; Chair Winder said the board would speak with the district attorney, offered to make outreach calls to the county's delegation leaders, and volunteered to write letters and make phone calls to the House leadership as requested. No formal county resolution was introduced during the meeting.

Shuren framed the issue as a public-safety and victims’ rights matter and urged immediate local advocacy to press the House to reconvene and consider the Senate bill before the court's stay expires.