Barrar’s Committee Supports Bill to Increase Police Officer Safety
HARRISBURG – Led by majority chairman Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved legislation to increase the safety of police officers.
House Bill 2058, sponsored by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Langhorne), would authorize paramedics to conduct blood draws on people suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is not a mandate; instead it allows the new process when an agreement between law enforcement and emergency medical services is reached.
Currently, officers must take suspects to the hospital to have blood drawn for the test, which is slower and more dangerous for the others who are at the hospital as well as the police officers. The risk becomes greater as suspects are transported for longer periods of time and then uncuffed in public.
Also during the meeting, the committee unanimously voted in favor of Senate Bill 847, sponsored by Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster), which would establish the Korean War Veterans Association Inc. as a voting member of the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission.
Finally, House Bill 2026 also received the support of the committee. Sponsored by Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks), the bill would codify the duties of the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol under the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The bill would give the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol standing for federal funding and mission tasking.
The legislation now is awaiting a vote in the House.
More information about Barrar and his legislative priorities is available at
SteveBarrar.com or
Facebook.com/RepBarrar.
To view footage of the House Veterans’ Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee’s meeting, click here.
Representative Stephen E. Barrar
160th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
SteveBarrar.com /
Facebook.com/RepBarrar