June 30, 2026 · JUDICIARY · 552 words · 4 speakers · 9 segments
Good morning. I'd like to call the recess meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee to order for the purposes of establishing a quorum. Carol, will you please call roll?
Bartolotta? Here. Brown? Proxy? Proxy. Capoletti? Proxy. Proxy. Collette? Here. Here. Dush? Here. Haywood? Here. Langerholtz? Proxy? Proxy.
Mastriano. Proxy. Proxy. Penny Cook. Here. Sanisaro. Here. Here. Saval. Here. Yaw. Here. Kim Ward. Proxy. Proxy. Baker. Here. A quorum having been confirmed, we will take up the business before the committee. before us is House Bill 2299 by Representative Bizarro, which amends Titles 18 and 42 to authorize the use of body-worn cameras by county probation and parole officers. Is there a motion to consider the bill So moved by Senator Dush seconded by Senator Penny Cook Representative Bizarro could not be joined with us today but his chief counsel is here Jason Stoloski If there are any questions, I think earlier this session we may recall that this committee expanded the use of body-worn cameras for additional Commonwealth law enforcement officers. That was enacted into law, and now we have before us this, which will add essential protections to county probation and parole officers who provide vital roles in our communities through their oversight and management of parolees and practitioners whose cases are assigned for supervision at the county level. The officer's duties are not without risk or danger, and authorizing the use of body-worn cameras will provide the protections that we have afforded to others.
Additionally we know body camera recordings are objective and promote transparency for all involved Are there any questions or comments from members of the committee Senator Haywood Thank you So my question is with respect to the home visits and the extent to which when a probation officer visits the home, will the cameras be on? What would be the protocol for home visits is my core question.
Senator, I can answer that. It would ultimately be up to the counties if they choose to implement body-worn cameras to establish policies regarding when the officers would be able to use those. For instance, during certain intake interviews regarding drug use or things like that probably would not be appropriate, but in executing arrest warrants or arresting a probationer, that probably would be appropriate in that circumstance.
Thank you. So we've got 67 counties, so that it going to be subject to what 67 counties decide to do or don do on the question of probation officer going to the home to do a check Children are in the home We don know what actually happening in the home All of that could be subject to being recorded depending on what 67 counties decide to do. Yes. Thank you.
Seeing no further questions or comments, Carol, will you please call roll?
Bartolotta. Aye. Brown. Proxy aye. Proxy aye. Capoletti. Proxy aye. Proxy aye. Colette. Aye. Aye. Dush. Aye. Haywood. No. Langerholtz. Proxy aye. Proxy aye. Mastriano. Proxy aye. Proxy aye. Pennycook. Aye. Aye. Sanisaro. Aye. Aye. Saval. No. Yaw. Aye. Aye. Kim Ward. proxy aye proxy aye baker aye aye the ayes are 12 nays 2 by a vote of 12 to 2 house bill 2299
will advance from committee that concludes the business before us we will recess to the call of the chair thank you