Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB527

Introduced
3/17/23  

Caption

Further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the commission; and establishing the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund.

Impact

If passed, HB 527 would have significant implications for state laws pertaining to law enforcement and public safety. It establishes a dedicated source of funding to reward individuals who provide valuable information to constables. This could lead to increased collaboration between law enforcement and communities, potentially resulting in improved crime-solving rates and a stronger sense of security within the public. Additionally, it would empower local policing efforts by ensuring constables are better supported in their critical roles.

Summary

House Bill 527 aims to amend the definitions and outline the powers and duties of the commission related to law enforcement, specifically creating the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund. This fund is intended to support the incentivization of information that leads to the resolution of cases involving law enforcement officers. The bill seeks to enhance the functionality of local constables and bolster public safety initiatives by encouraging community involvement in reporting crimes and assisting law enforcement.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 527 appears to be positive among law enforcement officials and supportive community members who believe that incentivizing tips could lead to better policing outcomes. However, there may be concerns from some advocacy groups regarding the ethical implications of monetary rewards for information and whether this approach could inadvertently encourage false reporting or other unintended consequences.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill may arise from debates related to the use of public funds for rewards and the ethical considerations of offering financial incentives for information. Critics may argue that it could lead to a reliance on monetary rewards rather than fostering community trust and collaboration. Proponents of the bill may need to address these concerns by emphasizing accountability mechanisms and fair distribution of reward funds, ensuring that the initiative enhances community relations with law enforcement without compromising integrity.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB591

Further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the commission; and establishing the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund.

PA HB1418

Further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the commission; providing for racial impact statement for juvenile matters laws; further providing for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee; and establishing the Youth Advisory Board and the Juvenile Nonresidential Evidence-based Practices Fund.

PA HB415

Further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the commission; providing for policies and procedures; and establishing the Human Relations Training Fund.

PA SB836

In employees, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of commission.

PA HB1735

In employees, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of commission.

PA SB520

In wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and repealing provisions relating to public access; in enforcement relating to fish, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies; in enforcement relating to game, further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers; in recordings by law enforcement officers, further providing for definitions and for audio recording or video recording policies; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of Department of Corrections; and making transfers between the State Gaming Fund and certain restricted accounts.

PA HB1673

Further providing for definitions and for justice reinvestment grants, phase 2.

PA HB2104

Further providing for powers and duties of the commission; providing for policies and procedures; and establishing the Human Relations Training Fund.

PA HB1579

In constables, further providing for townships, providing for bond, further providing for police officers, providing for bail bond enforcement agent, for professional bondsman, for debt collection, for other incompatible employment, for disqualification and for nepotism, further providing for conduct and insurance, for program established, for program contents, for restricted account and for general imposition of duties and grant of powers, providing for constabulary badge and uniform, repealing provisions relating to arrest of offenders against forest laws, further providing for executions, for arrest in boroughs, for fees and for specific fees, repealing provisions relating to impounding, selling and viewing fees, further providing for seizure fees, for election notice in certain areas, for incompetence and for compensation violation, repealing provisions relating to failure to serve in a township and providing for oversight; authorizing county constabulary review boards; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and imposing penalties.

PA HB1706

In Office of State Inspector General, further providing for definitions and for powers, purpose and duties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.