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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to review and vote upon four legislative items that have been pending since 2019, and which have a direct bearing upon the health, safety and well-being of the Commonwealth's residents, with all deliberate speed.
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WHEREAS, on June 24, 2019, HB 1664 was introduced in the Commonwealth's House of Representatives by a number of members, including several members of the Allegheny County delegation; and
WHEREAS, HB 1664 contains provisions that would restrict the use of deadly force by police officers to instances in which it is necessary for the officer to "…protect himself or
another from imminent death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse compelled by force or threat."; and
WHEREAS, upon introduction, HB 1664 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has neither discussed nor taken any action on the bill; and
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2019, HB 1382 was introduced in the Commonwealth's House of Representatives by a number of members, including several members of the Allegheny County delegation; and
WHEREAS, HB 1382 contains provisions that would provide for the appointment of special prosecutors "…within the Office of Attorney General who is designated to oversee, investigate and prosecute incidents relating to peace officers involved in incidents which may constitute criminal homicide."; and
WHEREAS, upon introduction, HB 1382 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has neither discussed nor taken any action on the bill; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2019, HB 1666 was introduced in the Commonwealth's House of Representatives by a number of members, including several members of the Allegheny County delegation; and
WHEREAS, HB 1666 contains provisions that would comprehensively reform police interdepartmental hiring, and require that the reasons for officers' separation from previous police employment be available to departments considering their candidacy for positions; and
WHEREAS, upon introduction, HB 1666 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has neither discussed nor taken any action on the bill; and
WHEREAS, on September 26, 2019, HB 1812 was introduced in the Commonwealth's House of Representatives by a number of members, including several members of the Allegheny County delegation; and
WHEREAS, HB 1812 contains provisions that would establish an employment certification and decertification program and establish training standards and qualifications for police officers, corrections and probation officers, and other law enforcement personnel within the Commonwealth,; and
WHEREAS, upon introduction, HB 1812 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has neither discussed nor taken any action on the bill; and
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of Council that these legislative items are of significant and immediate importance to the health, safety and well-being of the residents of the County and Commonwealth, and merit thorough, prompt, and transparent discussion followed by final votes as soon as is practicable; and
WHEREAS, Council recognizes that, on June 9, leadership in the Pennsylvania House of representatives has committed to holding a special session regarding relevant legislative items that have remained in committee, and Council both applauds this action and encourages full and expeditious consideration and action on all of the matters herein referenced;
The Council of the County of Allegheny therefore hereby moves as follows:
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is hereby urged to review and vote upon the four legislative items identified herein, which have been pending since 2019, and which have a direct bearing upon the health, safety and well-being of the Commonwealth's residents, with all deliberate speed.