HB 1841 | Police background checks and disciplinary database

Session: 2019-2020

ACLU-PA Position: Supports

HB 1841 PN 4011 mandates background reporting and investigations for prospective law enforcement applicants and requires that those records are maintained in an electronic database. The database is accessible to law enforcement agencies to screen potential officers before hiring. While not perfect, the background checks and records database created by HB 1841 are important first steps to ensuring that police chiefs and mayors can access officer disciplinary records before making a hiring decision. Access to these records may help reduce the number of problematic and abusive officers that often move easily from one jurisdiction to another.

House Bill 1841 was enacted as Act No. 57 of 2020.