§ 7203 — Mental health evaluations for law enforcement officers

Pennsylvania § 7203

• Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
• Title 44: LAW AND JUSTICE
• Part: PART IV
• Ch. 72: MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS
• Subch.: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Text

(a) Evaluations.--As a condition of continued employment, and without cost to the law enforcement officer, a law enforcement agency shall provide a law enforcement officer with a mental health evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder by a licensed mental health professional:

(1) upon request of the law enforcement officer;

(2) upon recommendation of a police chief or other supervising law enforcement officer; or

(3) within 30 days of an incident of the use of lethal force during the course of law enforcement duties.

(b) Treatment.--If a licensed mental health professional determines during the mental health evaluation under subsection (a) that a law enforcement officer has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, the law enforcement officer shall be provided with treatment under a licensed physician's care until the licensed physician determines in writing that the law enforcement officer is able to resume full duties.

(c) Administrative duty.--A law enforcement officer shall be assigned to administrative duty if the law enforcement officer:

(1) fails to undergo a mental health evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder when required under subsection (a); or

(2) is experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as determined by a licensed mental health professional under subsection (a) and whom the licensed physician has not yet determined is able to resume full duties under subsection (b).

Legislative History

Effective Date.Section 4(2) of Act 59 of 2020 provided that the addition of section 7203 shall take effect in one year.