HR 415 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on trauma-informed care training provided to law enforcement officers under Act 59 of 2020 and issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives.

PRINTER'S NO.    2891

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 415
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY KAZEEM, WAXMAN, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, RIVERA,
        RABB, D. WILLIAMS, MAYES, SANCHEZ, CURRY AND GREEN,
        FEBRUARY 4, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study on trauma-informed care training provided to law
 3      enforcement officers under Act 59 of 2020 and issue a report
 4      of its findings and recommendations to the House of
 5      Representatives.
 6      WHEREAS, The American Psychological Association defines
 7   trauma as any disturbing experience that results in significant
 8   fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion or other disruptive
 9   feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect
10   on a person's attitudes, behavior and other aspects of
11   functioning; and
12      WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers, as first responders,
13   regularly encounter dangerous and tragic events which may have
14   traumatic effects on their physical, cognitive and behavioral
15   well-being; and
16      WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers who have experienced trauma
17   or who live with post-traumatic stress disorder may be reluctant
18   to seek support from loved ones, professional resources or
19   superiors due to concerns about stigma or potential employment
 1   consequences; and
 2      WHEREAS, Trauma-informed care is a framework for
 3   understanding the prevalence and impact of trauma, for training
 4   first responders on interacting with trauma-affected individuals
 5   and for integrating this knowledge into policy and practice
 6   while avoiding re-traumatization; and
 7      WHEREAS, Training in trauma-informed care can help law
 8   enforcement officers reduce trauma on scene, improve
 9   interactions with members of the public who have experienced
10   trauma or live with post-traumatic stress disorder and encourage
11   recognition of trauma among fellow officers; and
12      WHEREAS, The General Assembly enacted Act 59 of 2020 to
13   provide for mental health evaluations for law enforcement
14   officers under specified circumstances and to require training
15   in trauma-informed care and post-traumatic stress disorder
16   through the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training
17   Commission; and
18      WHEREAS, Training provided under Act 59 of 2020 is critical
19   to the safety of law enforcement officers and the public and may
20   significantly affect outcomes in law enforcement encounters;
21   therefore be it
22      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
23   State Government Commission to conduct a study on trauma-
24   informed care training provided to law enforcement officers
25   under Act 59 of 2020 and issue a report of its findings and
26   recommendations to the House of Representatives; and be it
27   further
28      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, in
29   conducting the study, examine and report on all of the
30   following:

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 1          (1)   How law enforcement officers are trained on trauma-
 2      informed care, including training on all of the following:
 3                (i)    Recognizing and interacting with individuals
 4          with post-traumatic stress disorder.
 5                (ii)    Intervening with or on behalf of fellow
 6          officers exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress
 7          disorder.
 8          (2)   The frequency with which such training is provided
 9      to law enforcement officers.
10          (3)   The identity and qualifications of training
11      providers, including whether the Municipal Police Officers'
12      Education and Training Commission contracts with outside
13      entities for this purpose.
14          (4)   How the training requirements and content in this
15      Commonwealth compare with those of other states.
16          (5)   Available data on the number of law enforcement
17      officers who have received or not received such training,
18      disaggregated by county.
19          (6)   Available data on the effects of such training on
20      reducing incidents of violence involving law enforcement
21      officers and individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
22          (7)   Potential changes to State law, practices, policies
23      or procedures to improve trauma-informed care training for
24      law enforcement officers and enhance interactions with
25      individuals affected by trauma;
26   and be it further
27      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
28   report of its findings and recommendations to the House of
29   Representatives no later than one year after the adoption of
30   this resolution.

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