An Act prohibiting the commandeering of the assets, personnel or operations of law enforcement agencies in this Commonwealth.

PRINTER'S NO. 1370
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1117
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HAYWOOD, TARTAGLIONE, COSTA, FONTANA, COLLETT,
KANE, KEARNEY AND CAPPELLETTI, DECEMBER 29, 2025
REFERRED TO LAW AND JUSTICE, DECEMBER 29, 2025
AN ACT
Prohibiting the commandeering of the assets, personnel or
operations of law enforcement agencies in this Commonwealth.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Protecting
Pennsylvania Police Act.
Section 2. Findings and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Local control of law enforcement agencies in this
Commonwealth is of vital importance to the residents of this
Commonwealth.
(2) Local control of law enforcement agencies in this
Commonwealth is essential to preserve public safety.
(3) The General Assembly must take steps to ensure the
maintenance of local control of law enforcement agencies in
this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Definitions.
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The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commandeering." Taking control of or seizing the assets,
personnel or operations of a law enforcement agency without
express authority having been formally given by the Commonwealth
or the appropriate political subdivision.
"Law enforcement agency." An employer of a law enforcement
officer.
"Law enforcement officer." An individual who by virtue of
the individual's office or public employment is vested by law
with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for
offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is
limited to specific offenses.
Section 4. Prohibition.
A law enforcement agency shall not be subject to
commandeering by the Federal Government, through executive
order, action of the President of the United States or an act of
the Congress of the United States.
Section 5. Enforcement.
The Office of Attorney General and the district attorney of
the county in which commandeering or attempted commandeering has
occurred shall have concurrent jurisdiction to institute an
action to enforce this act.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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