Pennsylvania HB 1481: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for civilian community relations specialists; establishing the Civilian Community Relations Specialists Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2272
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1481
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY LABS, MARCELL, MAJOR, MIHALEK, TOMLINSON,
ARMANINI, STAATS AND GILLEN, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for civilian community
relations specialists; establishing the Civilian Community
Relations Specialists Fund; and imposing duties on the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 75
CIVILIAN COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALISTS
Sec.
7501. Scope of chapter.
7502. Definitions.
7503. Duties of commission.
7504. Fund.
§ 7501. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to civilian community relations
specialists.
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§ 7502. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Civilian community relations specialist." An individual who
works with a law enforcement agency and whose duties include,
without limitation, developing and implementing programs in the
community to prevent crime, build public trust, promote
community-oriented policing, advocate on behalf of victims and
engage in public awareness on a variety of topics of interest to
the community.
"Commission." The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency.
"Fund." The Civilian Community Relations Specialists Fund
established in section 7504(a) (relating to fund).
"Law enforcement agency." A police department of a
municipality.
"Municipality." A county, city, borough, incorporated town
or township of this Commonwealth.
§ 7503. Duties of commission.
The commission shall, in consultation with the Pennsylvania
State Police:
(1) Develop and administer programs for civilian
community relations specialists to assist law enforcement
agencies.
(2) Coordinate resources with law enforcement agencies
to create and maintain positions for civilian community
relations specialists.
(3) Assess the proper operation of civilian community
relations specialists across this Commonwealth and their role
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with law enforcement agencies.
(4) Adopt or promulgate any necessary rules or
regulations to implement and administer this chapter.
§ 7504. Fund.
The Civilian Community Relations Specialists Fund is
established in the State Treasury. The money in the fund is
appropriated on a continuing basis to the commission for the
purposes of this chapter. Interest earned by the fund shall be
paid into the fund.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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