Kinsey bill to ban police chokeholds approved by House Judiciary Committee

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    October 19, 2023 | 9:54 AM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., to ban police chokeholds was approved by the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday and heads to the full House for future consideration.

House Bill 462 would outlaw the use of the standard chokehold in making an arrest as well as any action that inhibits breath or the flow of blood to the brain due to physical position.

Kinsey originally introduced this bill in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd, who died due to asphyxiation brought about by sustained pressure on the neck by law enforcement officers.

“We’ve seen far too many cases where individuals senselessly lose their life due to chokehold during an arrest- whether it be George Floyd, Eric Garner or anyone else, it must stop,” Kinsey said. “To clarify, this bill still allows police to take the necessary steps in making an arrest or dealing with a civilian, it just eliminates the dangerous and unnecessary tactic of chokeholds.”