Harrisburg, PA − April 15, 2025 − Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17) and Patty Kim (D-15) today highlighted their legislation to require Pennsylvania enforcement agencies to comply with the federal Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA). The DCRA requires state and federal law enforcement agencies to report any deaths of individuals in police custody, under their jurisdiction, to the Federal Government.
The DCRA was enacted to address a lack of reliable information about deaths in the custody of law enforcement and correctional institutions.
“Last week, we recognized National Public Health Week, an important time to reflect on the choices we make in policy to protect our Commonwealth’s public health,” said Senator Cappelletti. “The Death in Custody Reporting Act is an important way to provide much-needed oversight to deaths in police custody. The integrity of our criminal justice system is critical to our public health, and I hope we will advance this valuable legislation quickly.”
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania holds one of the highest death rates among individuals in custody across the nation. Unfortunately, the numbers of those dying in custody continues to rise. Pennsylvania’s state prison deaths rose from 171 in 2019 to 239 in 2020.
In Pennsylvania county jails, 56 deaths were recorded by the state in 2020. Not only was this the highest death rate in 20 years, less than half of those deaths were then reported to the federal government.
“It concerns me greatly that Pennsylvania lacks a formal process ensuring that reliable information surrounding deaths in the custody of law enforcement and correctional facilities are reported,” said Senator Kim. “I’m proud of this legislative measure intended to help create a more transparent criminal justice system through strengthening reporting requirements and building greater accountability.
Comprehensive reporting of these deaths is intended to serve as a vital tool for public health and accountability. Accurate and consistent data provides officials with insight surrounding premature deaths in custody and helps to highlight practices and policies to create a safer criminal justice system.
This legislation would require all state and local law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities to report the death of a person in custody to the Pennsylvania Attorney General within 30 days of the death. Any failure to report would be a misdemeanor and agencies may be fined for noncompliance.
Senate Bill 627 has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it awaits consideration at the Chair’s discretion. Co-Sponsors include Senate Democrat Leader Jay Costa, Senator Judy Schwank, Senator Nikil Saval, Senator Sharif Street, Senator John Kane, Senator Katie Muth, and Senator Lindsey Williams.
Learn more about the legislation here. See the Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the legislation here. Learn more about the issue here.
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