Rabb’s legislation to fix police misconduct loophole adopted by Judiciary Committee

Rep. Christopher M. Rabb    October 5, 2023 | 12:47 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – Legislation (H.B. 1531) introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s interdepartmental law enforcement misconduct database was adopted by the PA House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“This closes the major loophole in state law, which allows the majority of bad actors with the worst records of serious misconduct to be hired without the prior knowledge of municipal or county government officials or the public at large, who they are sworn to protect and serve,” Rabb said.

The legislation was drafted with the input of law enforcement and experts in the field.

“This is a critical opportunity for the legislature to finish the work of substantive police accountability and community safety — particularly in rural and suburban areas where bad actors are most likely to sneak onto police forces,” he said.

The bill would update the police misconduct database statute enacted in 2020 by enhancing transparency, accountability and compliance measures.

Rabb is serving his third term as a member of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, having taken office in 2017. His original bill in 2018 was the blueprint for what became Act 57 of 2020.