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.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill makes changes to Pennsylvania law regarding law enforcement. It creates a new offense called ‘criminal concealment’ for law enforcement officers who intentionally obscure their identity while on duty, with exceptions for medical masks, protective equipment, or undercover assignments. Additionally, the bill requires visible badge display for municipal police officers, with an exception for undercover operations. Violations of the badge requirement could result in fines, court orders, and other remedies.
Key provisions
- Creates the offense of ‘criminal concealment’ for law enforcement officers who obscure their identity while on duty.
- Specifies exceptions to the ‘criminal concealment’ offense, including for medical masks, protective equipment, and undercover assignments.
- Requires municipal police officers to visibly display a badge, tag, or label while on duty.
- Establishes a process for bringing legal action against officers who violate the badge display requirement.
- Provides for potential remedies, such as cease and desist orders, compensatory damages, and attorney fees, for violations.
- Defines ‘law enforcement officer’ to include federal and state peace officers.
- Establishes a sentencing enhancement for ‘criminal concealment’ if it results in injury or improper detention.
Who is affected
- Law enforcement officers (state, federal, and municipal)
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1264 Html
- Published
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Christine Tartaglione
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