Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes only the state Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor for any South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) crimes.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate and issue criminal charges for crimes committed on South Eastern Pennsylvania public transit (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the special prosecutor shall have the authority to investigate and prosecute crimes on par with the district attorney for crimes committed on public transit (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the attorney general to furnish the special prosecutor with whatever resources they need to carry out this duty (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the special prosecutor meet the following requirements (Sec. 1): 

• Be a member of the state bar in good standing for over 10 years; 

• Have a minimum of 5 years experience in criminal prosecution in the Commonwealth; 

• Not be employed by the district attorney’s office; 

• Be a resident of the country in which they will serve; or

• Comport themselves with all ethics and standards set by the state bar. 

• Specifies that no one charged with a violation of the law by the special prosecutor shall challenge their authority in the case (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that in the case of a vacancy of the office the attorney general will appoint a new special prosecutor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the special prosecutor to compile a report on criminal activity committed on public transit and submitted to members of the general assembly (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the country to reimburse any expense incurred while investigating a crime (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the special prosecutor may not claim jurisdiction in crimes where the act was committed also in another county besides the first class county of residence by the special prosecutor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires law enforcement agencies to inform the special prosecutor if there is an arrest made relating to a crime committed on public transit (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this act goes into effect immediately on passage (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes only the state Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor for any South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) crimes.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate and issue criminal charges for crimes committed on South Eastern Pennsylvania public transit (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the special prosecutor shall have the authority to investigate and prosecute crimes on par with the district attorney for crimes committed on public transit (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the attorney general to furnish the special prosecutor with whatever resources they need to carry out this duty (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the special prosecutor meet the following requirements (Sec. 1): 

• Be a member of the state bar in good standing for over 10 years; 

• Have a minimum of 5 years experience in criminal prosecution in the Commonwealth; 

• Not be employed by the district attorney’s office; 

• Be a resident of the country in which they will serve; or

• Comport themselves with all ethics and standards set by the state bar. 

• Specifies that no one charged with a violation of the law by the special prosecutor shall challenge their authority in the case (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that in the case of a vacancy of the office the attorney general will appoint a new special prosecutor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the special prosecutor to compile a report on criminal activity committed on public transit and submitted to members of the general assembly (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the country to reimburse any expense incurred while investigating a crime (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the special prosecutor may not claim jurisdiction in crimes where the act was committed also in another county besides the first class county of residence by the special prosecutor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires law enforcement agencies to inform the special prosecutor if there is an arrest made relating to a crime committed on public transit (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this act goes into effect immediately on passage (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text