SB 1117 — 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
 1   Prohibiting the commandeering of the assets, personnel or
 2      operations of law enforcement agencies in this Commonwealth.
 3      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 4   hereby enacts as follows:
 5   Section 1.   Short title.
 6      This act shall be known and may be cited as the Protecting
 7   Pennsylvania Police Act.
 8   Section 2.   Findings and declarations.
 9      The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
10          (1)   Local control of law enforcement agencies in this
11      Commonwealth is of vital importance to the residents of this
12      Commonwealth.
13          (2)   Local control of law enforcement agencies in this
14      Commonwealth is essential to preserve public safety.
15          (3)   The General Assembly must take steps to ensure the
16      maintenance of local control of law enforcement agencies in
17      this Commonwealth.
18   Section 3.   Definitions.
 1      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
 2   have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
 3   context clearly indicates otherwise:
 4      "Commandeering."   Taking control of or seizing the assets,
 5   personnel or operations of a law enforcement agency without
 6   express authority having been formally given by the Commonwealth
 7   or the appropriate political subdivision.
 8      "Law enforcement agency."    An employer of a law enforcement
 9   officer.
10      "Law enforcement officer."    An individual who by virtue of
11   the individual's office or public employment is vested by law
12   with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for
13   offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is
14   limited to specific offenses.
15   Section 4.   Prohibition.
16      A law enforcement agency shall not be subject to
17   commandeering by the Federal Government, through executive
18   order, action of the President of the United States or an act of
19   the Congress of the United States.
20   Section 5.   Enforcement.
21      The Office of Attorney General and the district attorney of
22   the county in which commandeering or attempted commandeering has
23   occurred shall have concurrent jurisdiction to institute an
24   action to enforce this act.
25   Section 6.   Effective date.
26      This act shall take effect immediately.




20250SB1117PN1370                    - 2 -