Pennsylvania Governor Enacts Retired Law Enforcement Officer Identification Act
PR Newswire
via NewsEdge Corporation
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed the following bill into law:
House Bill 1057, sponsored by Rep. Stephen R. Maitland (R-Adams/Franklin), enacts the Retired Law Enforcement Officer Identification Act. This legislation is in response to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004.
The new law says a law enforcement agency will provide photo identification cards to retired law enforcement officers for no more than $15. In addition, retired law enforcement officers may obtain qualification cards as long as he or she meets the state's standards for training and qualification that active law enforcement officers must meet in order to carry a firearm.
The qualification card will be good for one year and will also contain a confirmation number that will be given to the local sheriff by the Pennsylvania State Police upon completion of a criminal history record, juvenile delinquency record and mental health check, which will be conducted each time a card/confirmation number is issued. State police may charge $5 for this service each time it is conducted.
When carried together, the identification and qualification cards constitute a permit to carry a firearm. If a retired law enforcement officer is rendered ineligible to possess a firearm, the officer is to surrender the qualification card to the sheriff within five days. The sheriff will then notify state police within a 10-day period of the identity of the officer who surrendered the card.
The bill passed the House 198-0 and the Senate concurred, with amendments, 48-0. The House agreed with those amendments, 190-1. The bill takes effect in 60 days.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT: Brandi Hunter-Davenport Pennsylvania Office of the Governor 717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Brandi Hunter-Davenport, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116