The bill amends Title 44 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to enhance the roles and responsibilities of constables and deputy constables. Key changes include the establishment of a new bond requirement for constables, mandating a bond amount between $1,000 and $5,000, which replaces the previous range of $500 to $3,000. The bill also restricts constables and deputy constables from engaging in incompatible employment roles, such as professional bondsmen and debt collectors, and introduces disqualification criteria based on prior felony convictions. Additionally, the training and certification process for constables is improved, increasing the required training hours from a minimum of 80 to a maximum of 120, with specified subjects including the use of force and first aid.

Further amendments include an increase in various fees for services rendered by constables and deputy constables, such as raising the fee for executing warrants of arrest from $25 to $50 and increasing courtroom security fees from $13 to $25 per hour. The bill also introduces a surcharge of $10 for cases before a magisterial district judge to support a special restricted account for training program expenses. Moreover, it establishes a county constabulary review board to oversee constable performance and payment disputes, while repealing outdated provisions related to animal impounding fees and modifying penalties for compensation violations. Overall, the legislation aims to modernize the legal framework governing constables, enhance accountability, and ensure fair compensation for their services.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1874 (Jun 09, 2025): 44-7114