FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Kristie Eshelman
Director of Communications
keshelman@niskanencenter.org
Washington, DC (July 13, 2026) — The Niskanen Center applauds the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Josh Shapiro for enacting legislation to help solve more violent crimes. The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act, which establishes a grant program under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), was included in the Commonwealth’s fiscal code as part of the 2026 budget agreement.
“Too many victims and families never see justice because violent crimes remain unsolved,” said Jason Olin, senior government affairs manager for criminal justice at the Niskanen Center. “The VICTIM Act makes a smart, evidence-based investment in the people, technology, and support systems that help law enforcement solve serious crimes. Research consistently shows that increasing the certainty of apprehension is one of the most effective ways to deter violent crime, and Pennsylvania has taken an important step toward making communities safer.”
The VICTIM Act authorizes PCCD to award grants to law enforcement agencies so that they can retain and train investigative, forensic, and analytical personnel; purchase forensic technologies; and strengthen witness support programs. At least 10% of grant funding must be awarded to agencies serving rural communities. Grant recipients must report on clearance rates, time-to-clearance, and personnel and technology investments, and PCCD must submit an annual evaluation to the Appropriations and Judiciary Committees of both chambers.
The Niskanen Center thanks Rep. Briggs, Rep. Kerwin, Rep. Harris, Sen. Picozzi, Majority Leader Pittman, Majority Leader Bradford, and Governor Shapiro for their leadership in getting this important legislation across the finish line.
More information on the Niskanen Center’s criminal justice policy work can be found here.
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The Niskanen Center criminal justice team advances an evidence-based agenda to reduce the social costs of crime and punishment. Our priority is to deter crime and reduce violence by building effective systems that deliver proportional punishment swiftly and predictably, and by ensuring law enforcement has the capacity to keep our neighborhoods safe.
