HB 2174 prohibits Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies from sharing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data with any federal, state, or local government agency if that data would be used to enforce laws interfering with access to medically accurate information or evidence-based medical services. Before sharing ALPR data, agencies must obtain a written declaration from the receiving agency confirming they will not use it in violation of this prohibition. The bill also requires ALPR information to be kept confidential and defines key terms like "medically accurate" (supported by peer-reviewed research or medical guidelines) and "evidence-based" (aligned with clinical standards and patient needs). This directly affects law enforcement agencies and government entities seeking to use ALPR data for medical-related enforcement actions.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to allow individuals who have been subject to or witnessed civil rights violations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or cooperating federal/state/local law enforcement during immigration enforcement to file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The Commission can then refer these complaints to the state Attorney General or the relevant county district attorney. It directly affects Pennsylvanians experiencing or witnessing such violations within the state. The change expands the Commission's authority to address immigration-related enforcement issues under state law.
SB 1139, the Police and Community Safety Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources (including funds, facilities, or personnel) to assist federal immigration enforcement. It bans officers from inquiring about an individual's immigration status except when required by federal law (such as for gun purchases under 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(5)) and prevents agencies from detaining individuals for immigration purposes. The bill aims to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement to improve public safety, directly affecting all local police departments, sheriff's offices, and school security in Pennsylvania.
HB 572 creates a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It makes it illegal to knowingly transmit, distribute, publish, or disseminate a sexually explicit image (defined as depicting genitals, pubic area, or breasts shown for sexual stimulation) to someone who didn't request it or give express consent. This offense is classified as a summary offense (similar to a minor misdemeanor), applies if either the victim or offender is in Pennsylvania, and excludes law enforcement officers acting in their official duties. The bill directly affects individuals who share intimate images without consent, providing a specific legal remedy for this type of non-consensual disclosure.
HB 293 requires dealers who buy electronic devices (like phones or tablets) from the public for resale to obtain a $50 annual license from their county sheriff. It mandates dealers to verify sellers' identities with photo ID, keep detailed transaction records for 180 days, and share copies with the district attorney within 24 hours. Dealers must also retain purchased devices unaltered for five business days to allow law enforcement inspections. The bill directly affects pawn shops, thrift stores, and other resellers of used electronics, not new-device retailers or charities. Violations may result in penalties, though specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.
HB 259 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "child sexual abuse material" in Title 18 to clarify what constitutes illegal content. It adds specific criteria for material involving children under 18, including depictions of lewd exhibition of genitals (if patently offensive), material appealing to prurient interest under community standards, and material lacking serious literary or educational value. This change directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors who identify and prosecute violations of child sexual abuse laws. The bill updates existing legal language without creating new penalties, effective 60 days after enactment.
SB 46 requires Pennsylvania's Attorney General to develop a statewide model policy within 120 days to prevent excessive force by law enforcement officers and school security personnel, after consulting with agencies, associations, and community groups. The policy must include specific standards for de-escalation tactics, reasonable alternatives to force, and prohibitions on chokeholds. All law enforcement agencies and school entities must adopt this model policy within 60 days or create a comparable policy meeting its minimum standards. Failure to comply risks loss of state funding, with annual training and biennial policy reviews mandated to ensure ongoing compliance.
This bill requires all Pennsylvania municipal law enforcement agencies to create and implement written policies governing the use of force and deadly force by officers. The policies must include specific decision-making criteria for when force can be used (such as threats to safety or possession of weapons), prohibit choke holds except when deadly force is authorized, and mandate public posting online and physical availability upon request. The Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission must certify each agency's policy biennially and provide non-compliance lists to the Pennsylvania State Police. This law directly affects municipal law enforcement agencies and their officers by standardizing force guidelines and increasing transparency around use-of-force incidents.
HB 1858 amends Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to extend death benefits to surviving spouses, children, or parents of corrections officers. Currently, the law provides benefits to families of certain emergency and law enforcement personnel, but corrections officers were excluded from coverage. This bill explicitly adds corrections officers to the eligible group, ensuring their families receive financial support if a corrections officer dies while on duty. The bill also includes minor editorial changes to update the law's language.
SB 1047 would require an independent investigation into any use of deadly force by a police officer. The investigation must be conducted by a third-party entity separate from the officer's department to ensure impartiality. This applies to all law enforcement officers in the state and mandates this external review for every such incident. The key provision changes the standard procedure by removing the investigation from the involved department's control.
