Pennsylvania Governor Signs Probation Reform Bill with Rapper Meek Mill

The new law aims to limit the length of probation and prevent people from being sent back to jail for minor violations, a cause close to Meek Mill who has spent most of his adult life on probation.

Rapper Meek Mill joined Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as he signed a bill reforming probation into law, which limits the length of probation and prevents people from being sent back to jail for minor violations.
The new law requires courts to conduct mandatory probation reviews after two years for misdemeanors, or 50% of the sentence, whichever is shorter. The same reviews are required for felony probation after four years or 50% of the sentence.
Minor technical violations of a parole agreement, such as showing up late to appointments, returning home after curfew, or visiting family that lives out of state without permission, should not result in the person going back to jail.
The legislation also clarifies that returning to confinement should only be used for 'serious' violations, such as failing to complete court-mandated treatment or for people considered a threat to the safety of the public.
Meek Mill, who has spent most of his adult life on probation following a 2008 conviction for drug and gun charges, became emotional during the signing, reflecting on his own experiences and the impact of the new law.