PRINTER'S NO. 1967
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1551
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY DAWKINS, BULLOCK, RABB, KINSEY, HILL-EVANS AND
McCLINTON, JUNE 3, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 3, 2019
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for mental health
evaluations.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 96
MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS
Subchapter
A. Preliminary Provisions
B. General Provisions
SUBCHAPTER A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Sec.
9601. Scope of chapter.
9602. Definitions.
§ 9601. Scope of chapter.
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This chapter relates to mental health evaluations for law
enforcement officers.
§ 9602. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Desk duty." An administrative law enforcement duty that is
designed to limit a law enforcement officer's day-to-day work-
related interactions with the public.
"Law enforcement officer." A member of the Pennsylvania
State Police or an individual employed as a police officer who
is required to be trained under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D
(relating to municipal police education and training).
SUBCHAPTER B
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec.
9603. Mental health evaluations for law enforcement officers.
§ 9603. Mental health evaluations for law enforcement officers.
(a) Evaluations.--As a condition of continued employment, a
law enforcement officer shall undergo a mental health evaluation
for posttraumatic stress disorder by a licensed mental health
professional:
(1) biennially; and
(2) within 30 days of an incident of the use of lethal
force during the course of law enforcement duties.
(b) Treatment.--If a licensed mental health professional
determines during the mental health evaluation under subsection
(a) that a l aw enforcement officer has symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder, the law enforcement officer shall seek
treatment under a licensed physician's care. The law enforcement
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officer shall receive treatment under a licensed physician's
care until the law enforcement officer ceases experiencing
symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
(c) Desk duty.--A law enforcement officer shall be assigned
to desk duty if the law enforcement officer:
(1) fails to undergo a mental health evaluation for
posttraumatic stress disorder under subsection (a);
(2) is experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress
disorder as determined by a licensed mental health
professional under subsection (a); or
(3) is receiving treatment by a licensed physician under
subsection (b).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in two years.
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