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Committee approves Victim Act to fund tools for solving violent crimes, including unsolved homicides
Summary
The committee reported House Bill 1511 to establish grants aimed at improving clearance rates for violent crimes, including unsolved homicides. Sponsors said the Victim Act will increase resources for law enforcement to solve violent crimes and build public trust; some members raised privacy and civil-liberties questions about new technologies.
House Bill 1511, the Victim Act, would create a grant program intended to help law enforcement increase clearance rates for violent crimes, including unsolved homicides.
Sponsor remarks: Representative Curran noted thousands of unsolved homicides in Pennsylvania and argued the bill would provide tools to increase clearance rates, hold offenders accountable and build trust in law enforcement. She said enactment would help create safer communities and have a deterrent effect.
Discussion and concerns: Representative Horowitz asked whether the bill includes protections for Second Amendment rights and raised questions about data retention and use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Sponsors and counsel said the bill does not affect the Second Amendment and indicated the program is aimed at solving violent crimes; counsel also noted reporting requirements back to chairs of Judiciary and Appropriations on how grant funds are used.
Vote: The committee reported the bill 24–2. Counsel said PCCD (Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency) would outline a grant program and report annually to committee chairs on fund use.
Ending: Sponsors emphasized reporting requirements and oversight; opponents raised civil-liberties concerns and cautioned about new technologies. The bill will proceed to the floor as reported.
