PHILADELPHIA, PA – March 27, 2026 – Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street joined criminal justice reform advocates yesterday at Philadelphia City Hall to respond to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s recent decision addressing mandatory life-without-parole sentences in felony-murder cases and to highlight Senate Bill 387, bipartisan legislation he has introduced to bring Pennsylvania law into compliance with the Court’s ruling.
The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the urgent need for individualized sentencing review in second-degree murder cases. Senate Bill 387 would end the automatic imposition of life-without-parole sentences in felony-murder convictions and instead establish a framework for parole consideration after a substantial period of incarceration—while maintaining accountability and prioritizing public safety.
“This has been quite a while in the works,” said Senator Street. “The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania affirmed what many of us already knew. The sentencing regime around second-degree murder, felony-murder, is unconstitutional. It doesn’t make sense. It must be corrected.”
During the press conference, speakers emphasized the real-world impact of mandatory sentencing laws and the importance of ensuring that punishment reflects an individual’s level of culpability. Advocates also called for swift legislative action to address the constitutional issues identified by the Court.
Participants included State Representatives Danilo Burgos, Malcolm Kenyatta, a representative from Senator Art Haywood’s office, Councilman Jim Harrity, representatives from Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Abolitionist Law Center, additional criminal justice reform advocates, and individuals directly impacted by mandatory sentencing policies.