HB 2784

Overview

This bill amends Section 8902(a) of Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to establish a specific condition under which police officers may make an arrest without a warrant. The amendment adds a provision granting officers the right to arrest upon probable cause when they observe ongoing conduct that violates a condition of a defendant's pretrial release, whether the defendant is on bail or released under another form of recognizance. The legislation specifies that this authority applies when such violations imperil personal security or endanger public or private property.

Key Provisions

• Amends 42 Pa.C.S. § 8902(a) to include a new paragraph authorizing warrantless arrests for violations of pretrial release conditions.
• Limits the scope of warrantless arrests under this new provision to instances where there is ongoing conduct that imperils personal security or endangers property.
• Applies the new arrest authority to defendants released on bail or under any other form of recognizance.
• Sets the effective date of the act to occur 60 days after enactment.