Legislation advances to strengthen penalties for attempted murder of law enforcement officers

WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Thursday said anyone who intentionally tries to kill a police officer must face the full weight of the law.

Baker, R-Lehman Township, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said legislation she co-sponsored with Sen. Rosemary Brown would strengthen penalties for individuals who attempt to murder law enforcement officers.

Baker said the need for the legislation was first brought to her attention by Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher after a horrific crime against a law enforcement officer in his county in 2024. Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin miraculously survived being shot in the head. During the criminal proceedings, Baker said the sentencing disparity was revealed.

Baker said Senate Bill 1284 increases penalties — including a new mandatory minimum and an increased maximum of up to life — for attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder of a law enforcement officer when serious bodily injury results.

Baker and Brown said there is a sentencing disparity between attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and assault of a law enforcement officer. While both crimes carry a potential maximum sentence of up to 40 years of incarceration, only assault of a law enforcement officer carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years.

With no mandatory minimum on the books for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, the judge must impose a sentence for that offense based on Pennsylvania’s sentencing guidelines, which recommend a sentence as low as seven years, the senators said.

“Senate Bill 1284 corrects this oversight by imposing a mandatory minimum of 20 years for attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder of a law enforcement officer where serious bodily injury results; and increases the statutory maximum from 40 years to up to life in prison,” said Baker. “The more serious the crime, the more serious the punishment should be. This bill ensures sentencing reflects the gravity of those crimes.”

Brown said this legislation closes a gap in sentencing and helps ensure those who attempt to take an officer’s life are held fully accountable.

“We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of officers across our commonwealth who face danger each day and put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” Brown said.

“The fact that someone could face as little as seven years in prison after shooting a police officer in the head, twice, simply because that officer survived by a sheer miracle is unacceptable,” said Gallagher. “This isn’t political — it’s about ensuring that when an officer suffers life-altering injuries, the punishment is commensurate with the harm. In cases like Kyle Gilmartin’s, the only difference between life and death was luck. Justice should not depend on that.”

The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Senate Judiciary Committee advances public safety package

The Senate Judiciary Committee also advanced three other public safety reforms aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, according to Sen. Baker, who sponsored three of the measures.

“This is a comprehensive, bipartisan effort to make Pennsylvania safer — for families, for communities and for those who serve on the front lines every day,” said Baker.

• Senate Bill 1235, sponsored by Baker, extends the period Pennsylvania Parole Board members may continue serving after term expiration from 90 days to six months to ensure continuity until successors are confirmed.

“The Parole Board plays a critical public safety role,” said Baker. “Uninterrupted operations is essential to making thoughtful, consistent decisions about offender release.”

• Senate Bill 1259, sponsored by Baker and Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-17), designates which internal parole‑decision documents are confidential and privileged while requiring feedback to inmates denied parole.

“Parole decisions must be based on candid, well‑informed deliberation,” said Baker. “This bill protects that process and ensures inmates receive meaningful guidance when parole is denied.”

• Senate Bill 45, sponsored by Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), reorganizes prostitution‑related offenses into Chapter 30 (human trafficking chapter), increases penalties for repeat and minor‑related offenses, and elevates promoting prostitution of a minor to a felony of the first degree.

“Exploiting minors for commercial sex is among the most heinous crimes imaginable, and elevating these penalties underscores our absolute commitment to protecting children,” said Baker.

The bills now head to the full Senate for consideration.

Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.

Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism.

Click for subscription offers.