Posted: | May 19, 2023 01:58 PM |
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From: | Representative Chris Pielli |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Wiretap Act Legislation |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to amend Chapter 57 (Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance) of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, oftentimes referred to as the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act. Since its enactment, the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act and subsequent amendments have enabled prosecutors to obtain critical evidence for cases, while simultaneously respecting individual privacy. Utilizing this comprehensive statutory scheme in an era of increasingly complex communication provides the necessary guard rails of judicial oversight. This chapter is set to expire at the end of 2023. My legislation will extend the expiration date of the chapter to December 31, 2029. In addition, this measure also amends the current definition of “oral communication” in the chapter. In doing so, it would remove Pennsylvania Wiretap Act restrictions on conversations made in presence of a state parole officer and certain other law enforcement officers. Please consider cosponsoring my legislation to extend the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act, while providing an additional tool in the fair and equitable administration of justice in our Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HB1278