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Philadelphia Voters to Decide Fate of Independent Prison Oversight Board in Upcoming City Election Ballot Question

Official:Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election; all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Thomas

Introduced: June 22, 2023

: Committee on Law and Government

government prison reform

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2020–2023 Council term and when that term ran out. The public record shows no committee vote and no floor vote at any stage, so no member of Council ever went on record for or against it.

That is not unusual here. Of the 8,465 bills introduced between 2000 and 2025, 1,624 lapsed without a single recorded vote. Ninety percent of bills that became law carry a roll call. Three percent of lapsed bills do. How this works.

Plain-Language Summary

This bill proposes putting a question on the ballot to amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter and create an independent Prison Community Oversight Board.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

Submits a proposal to amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create an independent Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia for approval or disapproval.
Places a question on the ballot at the election to be held November 7, 2023, asking voters to approve or disapprove the creation of the Board.
Authorizes City Council to determine the composition, powers, and duties of the proposed Board.
Directs the Clerk of Council to certify the proposal to the Board of Elections within five days of the ordinance's effective date.