1Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
2study of the constable system in Pennsylvania and report its
3findings and recommendations to the Chief Justice of the
4Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Judiciary Committee of
5the House of Representatives.

6WHEREAS, The General Assembly is committed to meaningful
7reform, including increased oversight and accountability, of the
8Statewide constable system; and

9WHEREAS, Constables were among the first public officers in
10this Commonwealth; and

11WHEREAS, Constable training, duties, performance expectations
12and fees have changed throughout the history of this
13Commonwealth; and

14WHEREAS, Act 49 of 2009 consolidated laws relating to
15constables, who enforce criminal and civil laws, maintain order
16at election polls and transport prisoners within this
17Commonwealth; and

1WHEREAS, The Commission on Crime and Delinquency, through its
2Bureau of Training Services, trains and certifies constables and
3deputy constables with annual in-service training required to
4maintain certification; and

5WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council
6has Critical Incident Stress Management Teams available at the
7county level to assist constables and deputy constables who are
8involved in shootings or other critical incidents; and

9WHEREAS, Constables' Education and Training Board regulations
10are set forth in Title 37 of the Pennsylvania Code; and

11WHEREAS, Constable system reforms could include, but are not
12limited to, expanded court supervision, uniform standards and
13procedure for reporting misconduct or abuse; therefore be it

14RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
15State Government Commission to study and make recommendations on
16the constable system in Pennsylvania; and be it further

17RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission file a
18report of its findings and recommendations with the Chief
19Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the majority
20chair and the minority chair of the Judiciary Committee of the
21House of Representatives not later than one year after the
22adoption of this resolution.