Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1212: An Act amending the act of November 29, 2006 (P.L.1471, No.165), known as the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act by updating the legal definition of "awaiting testing" for sexual assault evidence. The change clarifies that evidence awaiting testing includes items collected by law enforcement that have not yet undergone DNA or forensic analysis and are part of an ongoing criminal investigation. This definition update directly affects how law enforcement agencies and the Department of Health classify and manage sexual assault evidence in the state. The amendment ensures consistency in terminology used across the existing evidence collection program without altering other operational procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies evidence definitions for sexual assault cases, improving law enforcement procedures and victim evidence handling within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2273: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forfeiture of assets, further providing for motion for return of property; and imposing duties on the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

This bill requires law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to provide seized individuals with specific documents within 14 days, including a copy of the relevant statute and a sample motion for returning property. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will create and publish this sample motion on its public website, though it will not be the only form courts accept. The law applies to state police, local police departments, and campus police, and it takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by requiring seizure documentation and providing property return motions, protecting civil rights and improving transparency in criminal justice asset forfeiture.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 415: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on trauma-informed care training provided to law enforcement officers under Act 59 of 2020 and issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives.

This is a procedural resolution (not a law) directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study trauma-informed care training for law enforcement officers under Act 59 of 2020. The study must examine training content (including recognizing PTSD in officers and the public), frequency, provider qualifications, state comparisons, county-level participation data, and the training's impact on reducing violent incidents. The Commission must report findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives within one year. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks information to potentially improve training practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects study on trauma-informed law enforcement training to assess impact on reducing violent incidents, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of accountability and improved officer practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1189: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abuse of office, providing for indiscriminate arrest.

SB 1189 amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining individuals based on race, nationality, or immigration status without probable cause for an immigration violation. The bill defines "indiscriminate arrest" as using these factors to make arrests without a warrant, or to meet a quota, and makes such actions a misdemeanor of the first degree. This applies to all law enforcement officers, including federal officials and state peace officers, as defined in existing law. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory arrests by law enforcement, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights under criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from arresting/detaining based on immigration status without probable cause, protecting immigrant rights from discriminatory enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2232: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in law enforcement background investigations and employment information, further providing for maintenance of records.

HB 2232 amends Pennsylvania law to give law enforcement officers a formal process to challenge inaccurate background records maintained by their agencies. Specifically, it adds Section 7308(c)(1.1), allowing officers to appeal an agency's refusal to correct or remove disputed information under Pennsylvania's judicial review procedures (2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7). This directly affects current and former law enforcement officers whose employment records contain errors. The bill does not change background investigation standards but establishes a new appeal pathway for record accuracy disputes. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides law enforcement officers a process to correct inaccurate background records, enhancing accuracy and fairness in employment, aligning with police accountability and protecting officer rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2231: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for interference with aircraft operations.

HB 2231 (Pennsylvania House Bill 2231) creates a new misdemeanor offense for intentionally aiming laser pointers or other light-emitting devices at occupied aircraft when the person knows the aircraft is occupied. This directly affects individuals who point lasers at planes (e.g., during flights or takeoffs), while exempting authorized aircraft manufacturers, law enforcement during official duties, and emergency signaling devices. The bill defines key terms like "laser pointer" and "light-emitting device" to clarify what constitutes the offense. It becomes effective 60 days after enactment, adding specific criminal penalties for conduct that could endanger aircraft operations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for laser aiming at aircraft, expanding criminalization of specific behavior without reform or accountability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2174: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement, providing for use of automated license plate reader information prohibited.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data sharing to protect medical access rights, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits sharing ALPR data that could enforce laws restricting access to medically accurate care, protecting patient access to evidence-based services.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing ALPR data to prevent misuse in enforcing laws affecting medical access, strengthening data privacy safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2171: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for powers and duties of the commission.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables complaints about ICE/local law enforcement civil rights violations, creating accountability mechanism under Human Relations Act. Directly enhances oversight in criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnables complaints against ICE/local enforcement for civil rights violations during immigration enforcement, strengthening immigrant protections under state law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 1139: An Act providing for extent of cooperation between certain law enforcement agencies and Federal immigration authorities; prohibiting certain acts by law enforcement agencies; and providing for policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement and limits immigration status inquiries, building community trust. Aligns with criminal justice reform by enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement, limiting cooperation and protecting immigrants from detention for immigration status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 572: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, providing for the offense of unsolicited dissemination of intimate image.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal protection against non-consensual intimate image sharing, advancing victim rights and civil protections in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates criminal penalties for non-consensual digital sharing of intimate images, directly protecting personal data privacy in technology contexts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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