PRINTER'S NO. 2381
No. 269 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY JAMES, BLAUM, WASHINGTON, LAWLESS, L. I. COHEN,
MYERS, LESCOVITZ, ROBINSON, M. COHEN, CURRY, STEELMAN,
ROONEY, PRESTON, BISHOP, J. WILLIAMS, JOSEPHS, BEBKO-JONES,
ROEBUCK, WATERS, HORSEY, OLIVER, CRUZ, YOUNGBLOOD, THOMAS AND
MANDERINO, JUNE 21, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JUNE 21, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Judiciary Committee or a subcommittee or task
2 force to hold public hearings and report on the incidence of
3 racial profiling in this Commonwealth.
4 WHEREAS, We rely on the system of laws that lies at the heart
5 of our Commonwealth and country in order to maintain order and
6 civility in our society; and
7 WHEREAS, The residents of and visitors to this Commonwealth
8 rely on our system of justice and law enforcement to ensure that
9 our system of laws is followed; and
10 WHEREAS, The residents of and visitors to this Commonwealth
11 are from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds; and
12 WHEREAS, The quality of life in this Commonwealth is
13 positively affected and enhanced by racial and ethnic diversity;
14 and
15 WHEREAS, Racism, actual or perceived, in our Commonwealth and
16 country is a threat to social stability and harmony; and
17 WHEREAS, Racist practices evidenced in the enforcement of our
1 laws or the administration of justice would be among the
2 greatest evils in that they erode confidence and faith in our
3 laws, resulting in instability and discord; and
4 WHEREAS, "Racial profiling" is the practice of conducting a
5 traffic stop based upon the vehicle operator's race or ethnicity
6 or a profile that includes race or ethnicity as a relevant
7 factor in establishing suspicion of criminal conduct; therefore
8 be it
9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
10 Judiciary Committee or a subcommittee or task forces of the
11 committee, at the election of the chairman of the Judiciary
12 Committee, in consultation with the Governor and the Attorney
13 General to investigate whether the practice of racial profiling
14 exists in this Commonwealth; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the expenses incurred by the investigating
16 body in carrying out its responsibilities, including per diem
17 and travel expenses incurred by members and regular staff,
18 expenses for stenographic records and incidental expenses, be
19 paid from appropriate accounts under the control of the Chief
20 Clerk and be in addition to any other amount authorized by the
21 Majority Leader in consultation with the Minority Leader for
22 expenses for contractors, consultants, investigators and staff;
23 and be it further
24 RESOLVED, That the investigating body may hold hearings, take
25 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
26 necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That if the investigating body is a subcommittee or
28 task force, the subcommittee or task force shall issue a report
29 of its activities, findings and recommendations to the Judiciary
30 Committee; and be it further
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1 RESOLVED, That the Judiciary Committee may, in the discretion
2 of the chairman, issue a report of the investigating body's
3 activities, findings and recommendations to the House of
4 Representatives; and be it further
5 RESOLVED, That the chairman of the investigating body cause a
6 record of all expenses incurred by the investigating body or the
7 members thereof which are payable at Commonwealth expense to be
8 filed with the Chief Clerk.
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