Committee on Rules of Evidence

The Committee on Rules of Evidence was created by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to advise and assist the court in prescribing general rules governing all court proceedings in Pennsylvania.

The committee studies and makes recommendations to the court about matters relating to evidence law in the Commonwealth. The committee monitors the practical application of the rules, as well as developments in evidence law in Pennsylvania and in other jurisdictions, reflected in case law and statutory changes that have occurred since the rules' adoption. It also identifies areas in which the rules of evidence should be amended or clarified and continues to review and respond to the questions raised by judges, lawyers and court personnel. 

Established on September 8, 1998, the committee is successor to the Ad Hoc Committee on Evidence, which was appointed by the Supreme Court in 1994 to develop a comprehensive code of evidence for the court's consideration. After an extensive public comment period and subsequent revisions, the Ad Hoc Committee's final proposal was adopted by the Supreme Court on May 8, 1998 as the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence, effective October 1, 1998.

Committee appointments are typically for six-year terms. In special circumstances the Supreme Court may extend or reduce the term of an appointment. Members of this committee are appointed by the Supreme Court and are knowledgeable about the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence and possess trial court experience. 

* Click on names or titles to see Appointment Orders with dates of term.

Committee Members

Hon. Bret M. Binder, Chair
Thomas B. Schmidt, III, Esq., Vice Chair
Hon. Alan Hertzberg
Hon. Wendy G. Rothstein
Luke T. Weber, Esq.
Veronica L. Morrison, Esq.
Marian G. Braccia, Esq.
Thomas F. Merrick, Esq.
Neil T. O’Donnell, Esq.

Staff Members

Joshua M. Yohe, Counsel
Tricia D. Carbaugh, Assistant

Proposed Rules for Public Comment


Approved Rules

Approved Rules
Description Effective Date
Amendment of Rule 613 January 01, 2025
Amendments of Pa.R.E. 101, 102, 103 January 01, 2024

Prior Proposed Rules

Prior Proposed Rules
Proposal Deadline
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 601
September 15, 2023
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 103 and 802
January 23, 2023
Proposed New Pa.R.J.A. 104-115; Rescission of Pa.R.Civ.P. 101-104, 106-108, & 127-153; Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 126, Pa.R.O.C.P. 1.2, Pa.R.Crim.P. 101, Pa.R.J.C.P. 101 & 1101, Pa.R.A.P. 107 & 903, Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 204, Pa.R.E. 101
November 01, 2021
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 404(b) February 01, 2021
Proposed Adoption of Pa.R.E. 413 - Immigration Status
October 19, 2020
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.J.A. Nos. 101 and 103, Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 51 and 129, Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. No. 201, and Pa.O.C. Rule 1.1
November 15, 2019
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 901
September 10, 2019
Proposed Amendment of the Comment to Pa.R.E. 104 - Self Incrimination September 10, 2019
Proposed Amendment of the Comment to Pa.R.E. 401 - Class Relevance
June 04, 2019
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 901 and 902
May 17, 2019
Proposed Adoption of Pa.R.E. 902(13) & Pa.R.E. 902(14)
February 22, 2019
Proposed Amendment of Comment to Pa.R.E. 803(1) and 803(2)
January 15, 2018
Proposed Amendment of Comment to Pa.R.E. 901 and 902
September 18, 2017
Proposed Amendment of Comment to Pa.R.E. 902 September 01, 2016
Rule 901. Authenticating or Identifying Evidence September 01, 2016
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 803(6), (8), (10) with Revision of the Comment to Pa.R.E. 803(7) and New-Pa.R.E. 902(13) January 08, 2016
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 803.1 and Pa.R.E. 804 January 08, 2016
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.E. 501 and Proposed New Pa.R.E. 502 February 13, 2015
Proposed adoption of Pa.R.Crim.P. 574 and proposed amendment of comment to Pa.R.E. 802
February 18, 2013
Committee on Rules of Evidence is publishing for comment a proposal to amend Rule of Evidence 803.1
January 02, 2013
Rec. 102 as Published
August 01, 2011
Rec. 102 Side by Side Comparison
August 01, 2011
Recommendation that Pa.R.E. be rescinded and replaced with restyle Rules of Evidence and Comments
August 01, 2011
Approve the Amendment of Pa.R.E. 104 and Revision of Comment
July 30, 2010
Amendments to Rules 135, 403, 407, 408, 412, 413, 422, 423, 430, 454, 455, and 456
June 23, 2010
Proposed Deletion of Pa.R.E. 604
November 03, 2009
Approve amendment of Pa.R.E. 803. Change is being proposed to add subsection (18)
August 15, 2008