Criminal Justice (Policing)

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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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 21, 2025

SB 1071: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abuse of office, providing for the offense of criminal concealment by law enforcement officer; and, in municipal police education and training, providing for visible badge requirement.

SB 1071 creates a new criminal offense for Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who conceal misconduct related to their duties. It amends statutes to define "criminal concealment" as intentionally hiding evidence or obstructing investigations into officer misconduct. The bill also requires municipal police officers to wear clearly visible badges during all training sessions. These changes directly affect police officers in Pennsylvania's municipal departments and aim to increase transparency in law enforcement conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for law enforcement concealment of misconduct and mandates visible badges, directly enhancing police accountability and transparency in criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2055: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for basic tactical operations course.

HB 2055 requires Pennsylvania police officers to complete a mandatory basic tactical operations course as part of their certification training. The course covers practical skills like safe building entry, team communication during operations, threat identification under stress, and scenario-based training focused on officer safety and lawful force use. This new requirement applies specifically to police officers seeking certification under Pennsylvania's municipal police training rules. Completion of this course becomes a prerequisite for certification, directly affecting all new and existing officers needing to maintain their certification status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates tactical training for officers on lawful force use and officer safety, promoting accountability in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 96: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of terroristic threats.

SB 96 amends Pennsylvania's assault laws to clarify and strengthen penalties for "terroristic threats," specifically targeting threats that cause fear or disrupt public spaces. It directly affects schools, universities, and public facilities by requiring convicted offenders to pay restitution covering actual emergency response costs, including fire/police services, unused food, and staff wages during evacuations. The law specifies that threats causing school/university disruptions or targeting educational institutions carry felony penalties, while other threats are misdemeanors. This policy change shifts focus from solely punishing the threat to compensating communities for real costs incurred during responses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for terroristic threats, requiring restitution for emergency costs - increases punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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