Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 319: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in commencement of proceedings, providing for execution of warrants.

SB 319 requires Pennsylvania law enforcement officers to knock and announce their presence before forcibly entering a home during warrant execution and wait at least 15 seconds for occupants to respond. Officers must wear body cameras recording searches for five minutes before and after execution, and be clearly identifiable in uniform. The bill mandates new training on warrant procedures, establishes escalating sanctions (including certification suspension for repeated violations), and allows individuals harmed by intentional non-compliance to sue for damages. These requirements apply to all officers executing warrants under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires knock-and-announce, body cameras, and training to enhance police accountability during warrant execution, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 370: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, adopting the Uniform Electronic Recordation of Custodial Interrogations Act; requiring recordings of interrogations; and imposing functions on the Attorney General.

SB 370 requires Pennsylvania law enforcement to electronically record (with audio) all custodial interrogations related to "crimes of violence" (serious offenses that would be violent if committed by an adult). Exceptions include immediate danger, a person refusing to be recorded, equipment failure, or interrogations conducted by another jurisdiction. If recording isn't done, officers must write a report explaining why and summarizing the interrogation. This directly affects police departments, officers conducting interrogations, and individuals questioned about violent crimes in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires audio recordings of custodial interrogations to enhance police accountability, protect civil rights during investigations, and aligns with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 24, 2025

SB 182: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in falsification and intimidation, further providing for the offense of false reports to law enforcement authorities.

SB 182 amends Pennsylvania law to address false reports made to police based solely on a person's race or ethnicity. It specifies that if someone falsely reports a crime to law enforcement without actual suspicion of a crime - only because of the alleged perpetrator's race or ethnicity - the offense becomes a first-degree misdemeanor. This change grades such reports more severely than other false reports, distinguishing them based on the discriminatory motive. The bill directly affects individuals who make intentionally false police reports motivated by racial or ethnic bias. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets racially motivated false reports to police with stricter penalties, protecting civil rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 22, 2025

HB 1817: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, providing for the offense of interfering or impeding a first responder's duties.

HB 1817 would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to create a specific offense for interfering with or impeding first responders - such as police, firefighters, or paramedics - while they are performing emergency duties. The bill would add this as a new provision under the section on obstructing governmental operations, defining prohibited actions like physically blocking, threatening, or hindering emergency personnel. This change would make such interference a distinct criminal violation, potentially subjecting offenders to penalties under state law. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new offense to protect first responders, aligning with 'protect' indicator in support stance90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1480: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania State Police, providing for nonpublic database registry of domestic violence offenders; and imposing penalties.

HB 1480 would create a nonpublic database registry for domestic violence offenders within the Pennsylvania State Police system. This registry would specifically track individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses, making their records accessible only to law enforcement and certain authorized personnel. The bill also establishes penalties for violations of the registry requirements, such as improper access or disclosure of the information. The primary effect is on domestic violence offenders whose records would be entered into this restricted system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates law enforcement registry for domestic violence offenders, enhancing tracking and access controls for authorized personnel, aligning with criminal justice oversight and prevention goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1481: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for civilian community relations specialists; establishing the Civilian Community Relations Specialists Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

HB 1481 would create a new position for civilian community relations specialists within Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies. It establishes a dedicated fund to cover the costs of hiring these specialists, who would work directly with communities to build trust and address concerns. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to manage the fund and oversee the program's implementation. This legislation directly affects police departments and the Commission, aiming to improve community-police relationships through non-law enforcement staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civilian community relations specialists to build police-community trust and accountability, directly advancing criminal justice reform through dedicated funding and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2025

HB 1673: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for prohibition on law enforcement use of chemical weapons.

HB 1673 would prohibit Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies from using chemical weapons, including riot control agents like tear gas, during public order incidents. This bill directly affects police departments and law enforcement officers by restricting their use of specific chemical agents under Pennsylvania law. The key provision amends Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to establish this ban, replacing existing provisions that may have permitted such use. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after being referred on June 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans police use of tear gas/chemical weapons, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 7, 2025

HB 413: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, adopting the Uniform Electronic Recordation of Custodial Interrogations Act; requiring recordings of interrogations; and imposing functions on the Attorney General.

HB 413 requires police in Pennsylvania to electronically record all custodial interrogations related to crimes of violence in their entirety. This applies to law enforcement agencies during questioning where a reasonable person would feel in custody, with exceptions for emergencies, suspect refusal to be recorded, or equipment failure. The law eliminates the need for suspect consent to record and mandates written reports if recordings aren't made, while protecting attorney-client communications. It directly affects police departments, suspects during questioning, and criminal proceedings involving violent crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires electronic recording of custodial interrogations to enhance police accountability and transparency, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 15, 2025

SB 1047: An Act providing for a full and independent investigation into a use of deadly force by a police officer.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires independent third-party investigations into police deadly force, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 21, 2025

HB 1975: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of assault of law enforcement officer.

HB 1975 would amend Pennsylvania law to expand assault protections for emergency responders (including police, EMTs, and firefighters) beyond just law enforcement officers. The bill makes discharging a firearm at an emergency responder while they are on duty a first-degree felony (up to 40 years in prison), and intentionally exposing them to bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) a third-degree felony, with a second-degree felony penalty if the fluids come from someone with a reportable disease. It directly affects all emergency responders performing their duties and would change sentencing for these specific assault offenses. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Committee as of its October 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands felony penalties for assaulting emergency responders, strengthening protections for law enforcement within criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Policing

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