Contact:
Louisa Tavlas
ltavlas@niskanencenter.org
Harrisburg, Pa. (June 10, 2025)—The Niskanen Center applauds the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for passing legislation designed to solve more crimes and provide support and closure for crime victims. The bill–known as the VICTIM Act–passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 169-34.
The VICTIM Act (HB 1511), co-sponsored by Representatives Tim Briggs (D- Montgomery) and Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin), would establish a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to provide law enforcement with resources to solve more crimes. Local law enforcement agencies can use grant funds, among other resources, to hire more detectives, improve evidence analysis, and report on what is working and what needs improvement.
“The VICTIM Act is a bold step toward making Pennsylvania the safest state in the nation” said Greg Newburn, director of criminal justice at the Niskanen Center. “We’re grateful to all the co-sponsors of the VICTIM Act for sending a strong message that violence will not be tolerated in the Keystone State.”
The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
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