THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY BURNS, ELLIS, FABRIZIO, GABLER, GIBBONS, HALUSKA, HARRIS, M. K. KELLER, KORTZ, KOTIK, METZGAR, NEILSON, READSHAW, SCAVELLO AND WILLIAMS, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012  

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for

inspection by police or Commonwealth personnel; in

enforcement, further providing for investigation by police

officers.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Sections 4704(a)(2) and 6308(b) of Title 75 of

the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

§ 4704.  Inspection by police or Commonwealth personnel.

(a)  Authority to inspect.--

* * * 

(2)  Systematic vehicle inspection programs.--Any

Pennsylvania State Police officer or qualified Commonwealth

employee engaged in a systematic vehicle inspection program

may inspect any vehicle, driver, documents, equipment and

load to determine whether they meet standards established in

department regulations. No Commonwealth agency or political

subdivision shall accept Federal funds to establish a

systematic vehicle inspection program based on stopping only

a particular type of vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck

or motorcycle. Notwithstanding this subsection, Federal

funding may be accepted if a program stops only commercial

motor vehicles, as defined in section 1603 (relating to

definitions).

* * *

§ 6308.  Investigation by police officers.

* * * 

(b)  Authority of police officer.--Whenever a police officer

is engaged in a systematic program of checking vehicles or

drivers or has reasonable suspicion that a violation of this

title is occurring or has occurred, he may stop a vehicle, upon

request or signal, for the purpose of checking the vehicle's

registration, proof of financial responsibility, vehicle

identification number or engine number or the driver's license,

or to secure such other information as the officer may

reasonably believe to be necessary to enforce the provisions of

this title. No Commonwealth agency or political subdivision

shall accept Federal funds to establish a systematic program of

checking vehicles or drivers based on stopping only a particular

type of vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck or motorcycle.

Notwithstanding this subsection, Federal funding may be accepted

if a program stops only commercial motor vehicles, as defined in

section 1603 (relating to definitions).

* * *

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.