Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB319

Introduced
2/26/25  

Caption

In commencement of proceedings, providing for execution of warrants.

Impact

By mandating the use of body cameras during warrant executions, the bill also strives to promote transparency and accountability among law enforcement officers. The requirement for officers to document their actions with video recordings for a specified duration before and after executing warrants introduces a layer of oversight intended to deter misconduct and ensure compliance with legal standards. This is particularly noteworthy in relation to public concerns regarding police accountability, excessive force, and the protection of civil liberties.

Summary

Senate Bill 319 proposes significant amendments to Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes specifically related to the execution of warrants by law enforcement officers. The bill establishes concrete standards for officers, such as the requirement to knock and announce themselves before entering a dwelling and to wait a minimum of 15 seconds for a response. This procedural change aims to protect the rights of individuals during warrant executions and could potentially minimize instances of forceful entries, enhancing overall public trust in law enforcement practices.

Sentiment

The reception of SB 319 appears to reflect a growing awareness and call for reform regarding law enforcement practices. Proponents of the bill, including various advocacy groups and community organizations, support it as a necessary step toward upholding civil rights and enhancing police accountability. Meanwhile, critics of the measure may express concerns regarding the practicality of enforcing these new standards and worry about the potential implications for police response times and overall law enforcement efficacy.

Contention

Notably, the bill stipulates sanctions for officers who fail to adhere to the outlined standards, including the suspension or revocation of their certification, which adds an element of enforcement beyond mere procedural guidelines. This aspect may raise objections from law enforcement unions concerned about the implications this could have on policing dynamics and the accountability of officers under stressful conditions. Furthermore, the balance between civil rights protection and effective law enforcement remains a point of contention, likely driving debates as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB291

In commencement of proceedings, providing for execution of warrants.

PA HB583

In commencement of proceedings, further providing for arrest without warrant.

PA HB1849

In commencement of proceedings, providing for restorative justice.

PA SB1306

In protection from abuse, further providing for commencement of proceedings.

PA SB204

In actions, proceedings and other matters generally, providing for extreme risk protection orders.

PA SB752

In juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of probation officers and for informal adjustment, providing for requirement of diversion and further providing for taking into custody, for detention of child, for release or delivery to court, for release from detention or commencement of proceedings, for informal hearing, for release or holding of hearing, for consent decree, for disposition of delinquent child and for limitation on and change in place of commitment.

PA HB99

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in access, further providing for open-records officer, for appeals officer, for regulations and policies, for uniform form, for requests and for retention of records and providing for inmate access; in procedure, further providing for written requests, for redaction, for production of certain records and for exceptions for public records; in agency response, further providing for extension of time and providing for relief from vexatious requesters; in appeal of agency determination, further providing for filing of appeal and for appeals officers; in judicial review, further providing for court costs and attorney fees, for civil penalty, for fee limitations and for Office of Open Records; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for relation to other laws.

PA HB1381

In juvenile matters, further providing for short title and purposes of chapter, for definitions, for scope of chapter, for powers and duties of probation officers, for summary offenses, for inspection of court files and records, for guardian ad litem for child in court proceedings, for transfer from criminal proceedings, for informal adjustment, for taking into custody, for detention of child, for release or delivery to court and for place of detention, providing for confinement in juvenile treatment facilities, further providing for notice and hearing, providing for questioning and interrogating a child, further providing for consent decree, providing for school stability for certain students, further providing for disposition of delinquent child, for limitation on and change in place of commitment and for transfer to criminal proceedings.

PA SB706

Providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; providing for issuance of licenses for skill video gaming; imposing a tax and criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

PA HB2075

Providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; providing for issuance of licenses for skill video gaming; imposing a tax and criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.