PRINTER'S NO. 2051
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1592
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY JOHNSON-HARRELL, CEPHAS, SCHLOSSBERG, HILL-EVANS,
HARRIS, MADDEN, SHUSTERMAN, KOSIEROWSKI, KINSEY, McCLINTON,
HOWARD, SOLOMON, HOHENSTEIN, DALEY, DAWKINS, FRANKEL,
D. MILLER, SCHWEYER, DELLOSO, MURT, BURGOS, GALLOWAY, LEE,
WHEATLEY, CALTAGIRONE, ROEBUCK, OTTEN, FIEDLER AND ULLMAN,
JUNE 7, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 7, 2019
AN ACT
Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating
to inmate confinement, providing for overnight visitation
program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 5908. Overnight visitation program.
(a) Establishment.--The department shall establish a program
that allows children no older than 10 years of age to stay
overnight with the child's mother if the child's mother meets
the following qualifications:
(1) the mother was the primary caretaker parent of the
child or children prior to incarceration;
(2) the mother has not been convicted of a sex offense,
child abuse or child neglect; and
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(3) any other qualifications the department finds
necessary for participation in the program.
(b) Child visitation area.--The department shall establish a
secure area where both the mother and child can stay for the
duration of the overnight visit. The overnight area shall, at a
minimum, include:
(1) beds and bedding for both mother and child;
(2) games, toys or coloring books that both mother and
child may use; and
(3) any other items the department finds necessary to
keep both the mother and child comfortable during the visit.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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