Pennsylvania HB 973: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to area government and intergovernmental cooperation, providing for Municipal Police Enhancement and Consolidation Grant Program and establishing the Municipal Police Enhancement and Consolidation Grant Program Fund.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1056 PRINTER'S NO. 3315
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 973
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BRENNAN, KENYATTA, PIELLI, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, BURGOS,
HILL-EVANS, SCHLOSSBERG, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, DOUGHERTY, GREEN AND
SALISBURY, MARCH 19, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 29, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to area
government and intergovernmental cooperation, providing for
Municipal Police Enhancement AND Consolidation Grant Program
and establishing the Municipal Police Enhancement AND
Consolidation Grant Program Fund.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 23 of Title 53 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subchapter to read:
SUBCHAPTER D
MUNICIPAL POLICE ENHANCEMENT AND
CONSOLIDATION GRANT PROGRAM
Sec.
2351. Definitions.
2352. Establishment of program.
2353. Publication and notice of program.
2354. Award of grants.
2355 2353 . Applications for grants.
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2354. REVIEW PROCESS.
2356. Accreditation or consolidation incentives.
2355. AWARD OF GRANTS.
2356. LIMITATIONS.
2357 2357 . Municipal Police Enhancement AND Consolidation Grant
Program Fund.
2358. REPORT.
§ 2351. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"ACCREDITATION." THE CERTIFICATION OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT BY
THE PENNSYLVANIA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION COMMISSION OR
ANOTHER RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING BODY, AFFIRMING THAT THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT MEETS ESTABLISHED PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND BEST
PRACTICES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS.
"APPLICANT." A MUNICIPALITY OR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT
SUBMITS AN APPLICATION.
"Application." An application submitted under section
2355(c) 2353(B) (relating to applications for grants) for a
grant under the program.
"Commission." The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency.
"Consolidation." The process of consolidating two or more
municipal police departments under Subchapter A (relating to
intergovernmental cooperation) or by a contract for services.
"Fund." The Municipal Police Enhancement AND Consolidation
Grant Program Fund established under section 2357(a) (relating
to Municipal Police Enhancement AND Consolidation Grant Program
Fund).
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"Municipal police department." A police department that has
been organized and established by a municipality.
"MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER." A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME
EMPLOYEE OF A MUNICIPALITY WHO IS EMPOWERED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS
OF THIS COMMONWEALTH AND THE RULES OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE
MUNICIPALITY.
"Municipality." A city of the second class A, city of the
third class, borough, township of the first class or township of
the second class . , BOROUGH, INCORPORATED TOWN OR HOME RULE
MUNICIPALITY.
"POLICE DEPARTMENT." A PUBLIC AGENCY OF A MUNICIPALITY
HAVING GENERAL POLICE POWERS AND CHARGED WITH MAKING ARRESTS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF CRIMINAL OR TRAFFIC LAWS. THE
TERM INCLUDES A REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM WHICH A
MUNICIPALITY RECEIVES POLICE SERVICES OR A POLICE DEPARTMENT
THAT PROVIDES THE MUNICIPALITY WITH POLICE SERVICES UNDER AN
AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT.
"Program." The Municipal Police Enhancement AND
Consolidation Grant Program established under section 2352
(relating to establishment of program).
§ 2352. Establishment of program.
The Municipal Police Enhancement AND Consolidation Grant
Program is established and shall be administered by the
commission. Grants provided under the program shall be used to
improve and enhance the capabilities of municipal police
departments, incentivize VOLUNTARY consolidation and provide
training and other appropriate resources to municipal police
officers.
§ 2353. Publication and notice of program.
The commission shall transmit notice of the availability of
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grants under the program to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
Bulletin within 120 days from June 30, 2026, for grants under
the program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and by
August 8 for grants under the program for each fiscal year
thereafter.
§ 2354. Award of grants.
(a) Authorization.--The commission may award grants under
the program to municipal police departments for any of the
following:
(1) Consolidation and improvements to infrastructure,
including expanding or modifying municipal police buildings
for the purpose of consolidation.
(2