Providing for temporary operational and financial assistance; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Office of State Treasurer.
Impact
The law would empower the Governor to respond rapidly with resources necessary for municipalities facing the loss of law enforcement personnel. By designating the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Office of State Treasurer with certain duties, the bill creates a formal structure for managing these situations more effectively. This is a crucial step in ensuring that local governments are not left without critical policing services during times of crises, reflecting a commitment to maintaining public safety across the state.
Summary
House Bill 2054 aims to provide temporary operational and financial assistance to municipalities in Pennsylvania in the event of a law enforcement officer's line-of-duty death. The bill specifically amends Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding a chapter that outlines the circumstances under which the Governor may authorize assistance to maintain public safety and essential policing functions. Such authorizations can include various forms of support from the state, including personnel deployment, financial reimbursements, and logistical support.
Contention
While the bill is primarily focused on providing essential assistance, points of contention may arise regarding its implications for budget allocations and limitations on the use of resources. Critics might argue that reliance on state resources for local law enforcement needs could shift financial burdens and responsibilities away from municipalities, potentially leading to debates over the appropriateness of state intervention in what are typically local affairs. Furthermore, the temporary nature of the assistance—limited to 30 days unless extended—might raise concerns about the long-term support available for affected municipalities.
Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.
Providing for investigations; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police and the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.
Establishing the State Emergency Supplemental Grant Program; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; establishing the State Emergency Supplemental Assistance Fund; and making a transfer.
Providing for civilian community relations specialists; establishing the Civilian Community Relations Specialists Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Requiring persons convicted of arson and related offenses to register with local authorities; providing for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Parole Board; and imposing a penalty.
In firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for assault weapons and large capacity magazines and establishing the Firearms and Ammunition Buyback Program and the Pennsylvania State Police Buyback Fund; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police; and imposing penalties.
Providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System and the Green Alert System and for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police; assessing costs; providing for immunity and penalties; and making a repeal.
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and establish an advisory committee to determine the impact on Pennsylvania taxpayers of Pennsylvania State Police full or partial police services for municipalities that do not maintain full police coverage.
Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority certain lands situate in the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County; authorizing the transfer of an easement interest in lands for a portion of the Project 70 lands owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, known as Lake Winola Access, in Overfield Township, Wyoming County, to the Department of Transportation; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to convey to Tioga County a tract of land, and to accept a tract of land from Tioga County, both tracts being located in Charleston Township, Tioga County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, solely for the use of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, a parcel in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, in exchange for a tract partly in Nesquehoning Borough and partly in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, to be conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting by and through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and added to Lehigh Gorge State Park.