PRINTER'S NO.

2173

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL
No. 1538

Session of
2015

INTRODUCED BY WHITE AND BLOOM, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
AN ACT
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Amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, adding provisions for law enforcement
activities by providing for release of law enforcement
officer information when firearm discharged or use of force.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1.

Part I of Title 44 of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:

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CHAPTER 5

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LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES

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Subchapter A

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Preliminary Provisions

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(Reserved)

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Subchapter B

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General Provisions

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Sec.

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511.

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Release of law enforcement officer information when

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firearm discharged or use of force.
§ 511.

Release of law enforcement officer information when

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firearm discharged or use of force.
(a)

General rule.--Pending the conclusion of an official

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investigation that involves the discharge of a firearm or use of

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force by a law enforcement officer during the performance of the

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law enforcement officer's official duties, the name and

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identifying information of the law enforcement officer may not

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be released to the public by any public official or public

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employee conducting or participating in the official

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investigation or any person acting on behalf of such public

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official or public employee.
(b)

Conclusion of official investigation.--After the

official investigation concludes:

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(1)

The law enforcement officer's name and identifying

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information may be released to the public only if the law

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enforcement officer is charged with a criminal offense

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relating to the discharge of the firearm or use of force. The

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release of the information must occur in accordance with

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applicable law.

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(2)

The law enforcement officer's name and identifying

information may not be released to the public, if:

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(i)

the law enforcement officer is not charged with

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a criminal offense relating to the discharge of the

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firearm or use of force; and

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(ii)

the release of the information can reasonably

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be expected to cause harm to the person or property of

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the law enforcement officer or an immediate family member

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of the law enforcement officer.

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(c)

Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used

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in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this

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subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

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"Immediate family member."

The spouse, child, parent or

sibling of a law enforcement officer.
"Law enforcement officer."

The term shall have the meaning

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given to the term "peace officer" in section 501 (relating to

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definitions).

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Section 2.

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This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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