HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Dallas, and Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Johnstown, that would revise the state’s sentencing and parole procedures for second-degree murder convictions following a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision.

Senate Bill 1400 is intended to update state law in response to the court’s ruling in Commonwealth v. Lee, which lawmakers said affects how sentences for second-degree murder are administered.

Supporters of the legislation argue that without the changes, individuals convicted of second-degree murder could become eligible for release under the current legal framework. According to Baker and Langerholc, as many as 1,165 inmates could be affected if legislation is not enacted before July 24.

“If the House does not pass Senate Bill 1400, convicted murderers could be released into our communities and freely walk our streets. This cannot happen,” Langerholc said in a statement. “We in the Senate stood for victims of violent crime, with law enforcement, and for the rule of law.”

According to the senators, the measure is supported by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.

The bill now moves to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.