Markie's Law passed a House vote on Wednesday.

The law, which now moves to the Senate for approval, reduces the chances of violent offenders receiving parole.

The bill, written by state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, passed 149-47.

“Violent individuals who are sent to prison and continue to commit violent acts while incarcerated should not be released on the streets after serving the bare minimum of their sentence,” Bernstine said.

The law would deny parole for inmates at the expiration of their minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a violent offense or an obstruction of justice while incarcerated.

Bernstine said Markie's Law affects a larger group of victims than just the person it was named for.

Bernstine named Markie's Law after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old from Lawrence County, who was stabbed to death by his mother's boyfriend in July.

Police arrested and charged Keith Burley, a convicted murderer paroled in March.

According to court records, Burley is being held in Mercer County Jail and is due to appear in court Jan. 6 in New Castle on multiple charges, including criminal homicide, kidnapping and terroristic threats, among others.

In a 33-page report, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections released its opinion that a spike in murder investigations involving parolees was not indicative of a growing trend.

However, the report did “identify gaps in policies and practice that should be addressed.”

Bernstine said this law could help close some of these gaps.

“We named it after one individual, but without question, it's an issue and this legislation will save lives in the future,” he said.

“We cannot change what has already occurred, but we have an obligation and responsibility to do everything possible to make sure it does not happen again,” Bernstine said.

The bill would also postpone consideration of a violent inmate's parole an additional 24 months following the inmate's minimum release date for each conviction of a violent offense while incarcerated.

In addition, it would suspend consideration of an inmate's parole an additional 12 months if the inmate attempted to escape, smuggled contraband or retaliated or intimidated witnesses while incarcerated.

Bernstine said if the bill had been in place before July 8, Markie still would be alive.

“Markie would be in school today interacting and studying with his classmates,” said Bernstine.

Bernstine said he has received support from some senators already, including Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th.

“We feel very confident that it'll pass the Senate,” Bernstine said. “I would anticipate this to be moved through quickly through the process.”

Aaron Bernstine