HB 776

Abstract

Minimum qualifications for law-enforcement officers; citizenship; waiver. Allows individuals who are lawfully admittedfor permanent residence who have resided in the United States forno less than 60 months and who are both eligible for and have appliedfor United States citizenship to qualify for the positions of chiefof police and all police officers of any locality, all deputy sheriffsand jail officers in the Commonwealth, and all law-enforcement officers.The bill allows any agency or department employing law-enforcementofficers to hire, recruit, or refer an individual who is a citizenof the United States over another individual who meets such qualificationsif such individuals are equally qualified. Currentlaw only allows citizens of the United States to qualify for thenamed positions; the citizenship requirement can only be waived forgood cause upon request of a sheriff or chief of police or the directoror chief executive of any agency or department employing law-enforcementofficers to the Department of Criminal Justice Services.