May. 13, 2025
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) today announced he has re-introduced legislation that would allow video and audio recording of criminal and civil court proceedings in Pennsylvania, with exceptions.
“It’s important to provide as much transparency and accountability as possible when it comes to the Commonwealth’s judicial system,” said Flick. “The objective is to deter dishonest or corrupt behavior by all parties involved in proceedings.”
Exceptions listed in
House Bill 1397 include prohibiting the recording of any child witness and any witness who is alleged to have been the victim of a sexual assault or domestic violence. Doing so protects the privacy of these specific witnesses, who often provide confidential, intimate details of horrific acts against them.
Flick points out the protections cameras can offer. For example, in the early 2000s, two former Pennsylvania judges orchestrated a scheme to send children to for-profit jails in exchange for payments, known nationally as the “Kids for Cash” scandal. They were ordered to pay more than $200 million to those victimized by this high-profile misconduct.
The motivation behind this legislation comes from past transgressions like “Kids for Cash,” Flick said, as well as his own experiences in the courtroom as a pro se litigant. “A transcript is not enough. Audio and video tell a clear story of the proceedings, of how something is said, and the physical gestures that communicate so much more.”
Pennsylvania is one of just five states that do not allow cameras in courtrooms. The other four states are Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
“I recently polled my constituents regarding this issue, and there is overwhelming support to move forward and make this needed change to our judicial system,” said Flick.
House Bill 1397 currently sits in the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Representative Jamie Flick
83rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717.260.6396
ntemple@pahousegop.com
RepFlick.com