Luzerne Times

HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced six bills today focused on protecting Pennsylvanians, according to the committee’s chair, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20).

“The approved legislation will contribute to making Pennsylvania a safer and more secure place to live, ensuring the protection of residents and upholding the integrity of the state’s legal and justice systems,” Baker said. “Criminal law and the pursuit of justice are never entirely fixed items. We continually find places where an emerging loophole in law is exploited to create new victims. The same is true for advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence, where bad actors find ways to misuse it for purposes that damage lives. These bills are worthy examples of the diligence lawmakers are undertaking to solve real and concerning problems.”

The first three measures – which passed the committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote – aim at protecting one of the most vulnerable populations by addressing issues related to child pornography generated through artificial intelligence. Despite its relative infancy, state and local prosecutors across the commonwealth have encountered sexual predators using this technology to generate images of children being sexually abused. These materials are nearly indistinguishable from real ones. Because the current statute does not prohibit materials that are artificially generated, prosecuting child predators has become more difficult than ever. The changes will also apply to those who use technology to create and disseminate sexually explicit images.

Legislation to help homeowners and landlords retain control of their property was also approved. Recent headlines have highlighted an alarming trend in which squatters take over property without permission from homeowners and change locks, leading to costly and lengthy legal battles. Although these cases are more prevalent in other states where squatters are considered “tenants” under laws, this bill clarifies that in Pennsylvania, a person without permission from the owner is not a “tenant” and therefore not entitled to formal eviction procedures.

The committee also voted to establish a Directed Trust Act for Pennsylvania and conduct a study on veterans’ experiences in the criminal justice system.

The bills are part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania and will now move to the full Senate for consideration.

CONTACT:

Cara Laudenslager