The Pennsylvania House is scheduled to vote TOMORROW on HB 150 (Rep. Krajewski)—legislation that would fix our Commonwealth’s failing compassionate medical release system. Legislators need to hear from constituents now.
Please take a few minutes today to call or email your State Representative and Senators and urge them to vote YES on HB 150.
Why this vote matters right now
In 2018, Congress passed the bipartisan First Step Act, recognizing that seriously ill and debilitated incarcerated people pose little risk to public safety and should not be left to die in prison. While progress has been made at the federal level, Pennsylvania has not kept pace.
Our state’s compassionate release program is largely failing:
- In 15 years, only 54 people have been granted medical release
- Since 2016, 11 people have died in Pennsylvania prisons waiting for a judge to hear their petition
- Medical care for incarcerated people costs taxpayers more than $400 million annually
- Some state prisons are experiencing medical staff vacancy rates nearing 40%
We cannot afford further delay.
What HB 150 would do
HB 150 would modernize Pennsylvania law by modeling reforms after the federal First Step Act. It would expand the ability of courts to modify a sentence in cases involving serious health issues, such as chronic or debilitating medical conditions—while maintaining strong public safety safeguards.
All petitions would:
- Consider public safety
- Require notification to the sentencing court
- Include the District Attorney and the Office of the Victim Advocate
This commonsense reform has strong bipartisan support, including from civil liberties groups, medical professionals, correctional leaders, and advocates of fiscal responsibility.
Here’s how you can help TODAY:
- Find your legislators by visiting: PLS | Zip Sticker (mypls.com)
- Scroll down to find your State Representative and State Senators (not U.S. legislators)
- Call or email them TODAY and urge a YES vote on HB 150. You can use this script:
Hello, my name is ________ and I am a constituent of your district. I am contacting you today to urge you to vote YES on HB 150, legislation to reform Pennsylvania’s compassionate medical release system.
Pennsylvania’s current system is failing seriously ill incarcerated people and wasting taxpayer dollars. HB 150 would allow courts to consider medical release for people with severe and debilitating health conditions while maintaining strong public safety protections. I respectfully urge your support when this bill comes up for a vote. Thank you for your time and service.
This vote matters:
- People are dying in prison while waiting for relief
- Taxpayers are spending hundreds of millions incarcerating people who pose little risk
- HB 150 is a humane, fiscally responsible, bipartisan solution
Please act today. Tomorrow’s House vote depends on voices like yours.