Mental Retardation and the Death Penalty in Pennsylvania

In 2002, the United States Supreme Court outlawed the execution of the mentally retarded in the Atkins v. Virginia decision, a move supported by three of every four Americans. Four years later, the Pennsylvania legislature has yet to create standards to ensure that the mentally retarded are not executed in Pennsylvania.

In 2006, SENATE BILL 631 was brought before the PA Senate to addresses this issue. The bill was not passed in this session, and the legislation will be taken up anew in 2007. Check back often for up-to-date information on this important issue.