Pennsylvania constables are elected by their respective municipalities to serve six-year terms and work to maintain the peace at polling locations on election day to ensure the safety of everyone. They also serve as independent contractors of the court system to assist in criminal and civil legal proceedings by serving legal documents and implementing court orders.

In order to ensure the proper training of constables and to help support their day-to-day operations, I am re-introducing legislation to modestly increase the $5 surcharge fee included in 44 Pa.C.S. Section 7149 and other fees as outlined in Subchapter G of Title 44 (Law and Justice).

The $5 surcharge fee to support constable training has not been increased for 30 years, and costs for training have rapidly exceeded the amount of revenue available. The fees constables collect for their legal services have also not been addressed for at least 15 years.

Please join me in supporting this legislation.