Pennsylvania Bill Makes Interfering With Criminal Investigations by Government Officials a Felony

Original title: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abuse of office, providing for the offense of interference with a criminal investigation by a government official.

Last action · September 24, 2026: Referred to JUDICIARY, Sept. 24, 2026Sponsors: Maria Collett and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1452 establishes the new criminal offense of interference with a criminal investigation by a government official, classifying the violation as a . The measure prohibits federal, state, and local government employees from using unlawful acts, deceit, or physical force to block law enforcement from accessing evidence, providing altered records, or ordering others to obstruct an investigation. The legislation takes effect in 60 days.

Why it matters

The measure introduces felony-level criminal penalties specifically for government employees at any level who obstruct law enforcement access to evidence or falsify records during a criminal investigation, altering the legal accountability framework for public servants.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Government officials

Federal, state, and local government employees face criminal felony liability and new legal restrictions regarding their conduct during criminal investigations.

Directly affected

Law enforcement officers

Law enforcement personnel gain explicit statutory protections against physical interference, evidence tampering, and the provision of false records by government employees.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a government official under this bill?

A government official is defined as any person employed by the Federal Government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or a local government.

What level of crime is interference with a criminal investigation by a government official?

The offense is classified as a .

What actions by a government official are prohibited during a criminal investigation?

Prohibited actions include using force or deceit to block law enforcement from accessing or preserving evidence, providing false or altered records or data files, and ordering or allowing another government official to commit these acts.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Sep 24, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to JUDICIARY, Sept. 24, 2026

Version history

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