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Bill > SB1028

PA SB1028

PA SB1028
In Office of Attorney General, further providing for legal advice and civil matters and for criminal prosecutions.

summary

Introduced
10/03/2025
In Committee
10/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amending the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), entitled "A supplement to the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled 'An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the Executive Department thereof and the administrative departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof, including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative officers, and of the several administrative departments, boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards, and commissions; and prescribing the manner in which the number and compensation of the deputies and all other assistants and employes of certain departments, boards and commissions shall be determined,' implementing the addition of section 4.1 to Article IV of the Constitution of Pennsylvania; establishing the Office of Attorney General elected by the citizens and setting forth powers and duties of the Attorney General; creating an Office of General Counsel and providing for legal services for Commonwealth agencies; transferring, reorganizing or reconstituting certain boards, commissions and agencies; placing certain duties upon the courts and district attorneys; repealing certain acts and parts of acts and making appropriations," in Office of Attorney General, further providing for legal advice and civil matters and for criminal prosecutions.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Commonwealth Attorneys Act to expand the Attorney General's legal and prosecutorial powers, specifically in areas related to civil rights and ethnic intimidation. The bill enhances the Attorney General's authority to investigate and prosecute violations of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act by allowing the office to subpoena evidence, file actions in court, and represent the Commonwealth and its citizens in civil rights cases. In criminal matters, the bill gives the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute ethnic intimidation cases and cases involving potential violations of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for the Attorney General to assist local district attorneys who lack resources to adequately investigate or prosecute ethnic intimidation cases by offering technical, forensic, and prosecutorial support. The changes aim to strengthen the state's ability to address civil rights violations and hate crimes by empowering the Attorney General's office to take a more proactive role in investigating and prosecuting such cases. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

Referred to Judiciary (on 10/03/2025)

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