HB 591 — An Act amending the act of November 22, 1978 (P.L.1166, No.274), referred to as the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the commission; and establishing the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund.

PRINTER'S NO.   599

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 591
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY NEILSON, DOUGHERTY, SIEGEL, GIRAL, SANCHEZ,
        PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, CIRESI, SCHLOSSBERG, HOHENSTEIN, KHAN,
        GALLAGHER, DEASY AND GREEN, FEBRUARY 12, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of November 22, 1978 (P.L.1166, No.274),
 2      entitled "An act establishing the Pennsylvania Commission on
 3      Crime and Delinquency, providing for its powers and duties
 4      establishing several advisory committees within the
 5      commission and providing for their powers and duties,"
 6      further providing for definitions and for powers and duties
 7      of the commission; and establishing the Constable William
 8      Davidson Reward Fund.
 9      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10   hereby enacts as follows:
11      Section 1.    Section 1 of the act of November 22, 1978
12   (P.L.1166, No.274), referred to as the Pennsylvania Commission
13   on Crime and Delinquency Law, is amended by adding a definition
14   to read:
15   Section 1.   Definitions.
16      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
17   have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
18   meanings given to them in this section:
19      * * *
20      "Law enforcement officer."    The term shall have the same
 1   meaning as the term "peace officer" under 18 Pa.C.S. § 501
 2   (relating to definitions).
 3      * * *
 4      Section 2.      Section 3 of the act is amended by adding a
 5   paragraph to read:
 6   Section 3.      Powers and duties of the commission.
 7      The commission shall have the power and its duty shall be:
 8            * * *
 9            (19)    To offer and cause to be paid rewards of up to
10      $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction
11      of perpetrators of an offense against a law enforcement
12      officer under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502 (relating to murder) or 2507
13      (relating to criminal homicide of law enforcement officer).
14      Section 3.      The act is amended by adding a section to read:
15   Section 8.2.      Constable William Davidson Reward Fund.
16      (a)   Establishment of fund.--The Constable William Davidson
17   Reward Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund in the State
18   Treasury.
19      (b)   Administration.--The fund shall be administered by the
20   commission. The commission shall use money in the fund solely
21   for the purpose specified under section 3(19).
22      (c)   Fund sources.--Funding shall consist of appropriations
23   by the General Assembly.
24      (d)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
25   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
26   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
27      "Fund."      The Constable William Davidson Reward Fund.
28      Section 4.      This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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