PRINTER'S NO. 1048
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
878
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY GALLOWAY, HILL-EVANS, FREEMAN, MILLARD, SIMMONS,
BARRAR, READSHAW, McNEILL, DEASY, FRANKEL, McCLINTON,
DAVIDSON AND STRUZZI, MARCH 25, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 25, 2019
AN ACT
Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and
jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for
problem-solving courts; and, in magisterial district judges,
further providing for jurisdiction and venue.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 916(a) and (b)(1) of Title 42 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 916. Problem-solving courts.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) The court of common pleas of a judicial district and
the Municipal Court of Philadelphia may establish, from
available funds, one or more problem-solving courts which
have specialized jurisdiction, including, but not limited to,
drug courts, mental health courts and driving under the
influence courts, whereby defendants are admitted to a court-
supervised individualized treatment program. The court may
adopt local rules for the administration of problem-solving
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courts and their related treatment services. The local rules
may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules
established by the Supreme Court.
(2) A magisterial district judge shall have concurrent
jurisdiction with a drug court established under paragraph
(1) and may establish a drug court in accordance with
paragraph (1). A magisterial district judge who administers
or establishes a drug court shall adopt the local rules for
the administration of a drug court and related treatment
services adopted under paragraph (1).
(b) Statewide problem-solving courts coordinator.--To the
extent that funds are available, the Supreme Court may appoint a
Statewide problem-solving courts coordinator. The coordinator
may:
(1) Encourage and assist in the establishment of
problem-solving courts in each judicial district and drug
courts in magisterial districts.
* * *
Section 2. Section 1515(a) of Title 42 is amended by adding
a paragraph to read:
§ 1515. Jurisdiction and venue.
(a) Jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general
rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment
of matters), magisterial district judges shall, under procedures
prescribed by general rule, have jurisdiction of all of the
following matters:
* * *
(6.2) Drug courts in accordance with section 916
(relating to problem-solving courts).
* * *
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Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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