A group of Republican state representatives unveiled a package of bills Wednesday that would bolster support for crime victims and work to rehabilitate incarcerated people.
Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) said the provisions in the Safer PA Act are commonplace in other states.
"These are reforms that work," she said at a Wednesday press conference. "We see them working in other states, and we want to bring those same concepts here to our commonwealth. It's an approach that has earned support of crime survivors throughout Pennsylvania."
The six bills include reforms that would remove barriers for crime survivors and their families to access victims compensation, provide leave from work, relocation assistance and help terminating their lease or changing their locks without fees.
The Safer PA Act would also screen incarcerated people for learning disabilities and offer incentives for education while they are in prison.
Mihalek says data shows 30 to 50 percent of the adult prison population has a learning disability. She believes by identifying and addressing them, incarcerated people can focus on education and pursuing a career upon their release.
"All together, these programs reduce the likelihood that someone will return to prison and could help set them on a path to success in the workforce," she said.
Jodie Coleman, whose 20-year-old son was killed in 2016, advocated for the Safer PA Act at Wednesday's press conference.
"Expanding critical protection and access to victim compensation has worked in other states," she said. "It's time for Pennsylvania to do the same, so that we can help our survivors and communities heal."