Police would warn people they believe were strangled about health risks

An officer would warn the person about hidden or delayed injuries, urge immediate medical evaluation, and explain when to seek emergency help. This applies when an officer responding to or investigating an incident has reasonable grounds to believe someone was strangled. The duty applies even without visible injury, an arrest or charge, or the person's cooperation. If the person's medical condition prevents them from receiving or understanding the warning, the officer must get emergency help first. The warning cannot delay emergency care. The officer would give the warning as soon as practical after identifying the person, or after getting emergency help if the person's condition prevents them from receiving it. The proposal would take effect 60 days after becoming law.

Officers would record whether they gave the warning, and Pennsylvania State Police would publish a written warning officers could use. These steps apply to officers handling incidents covered by the warning duty and to Pennsylvania State Police. If an officer cannot give the warning, they must record why and any later efforts to give it. State Police must consult the Department of Health when writing the warning. Officers may read or provide that written warning to meet the warning duty. These provisions would take effect 60 days after becoming law.