Pennsylvania senator introduces bill to train, hire, retain local prosecutors

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTAJ) — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has introduced bipartisan legislation to better support, hire, train and retain local prosecutors.

He introduced the bicameral Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for (HIRRE) Prosecutors Act. This act would create a federal competitive grant program to provide district attorneys with the staff and resources they need to prosecute cases.

“In order to protect public safety and the rule of law, it is critical that we have enough well-trained prosecutors who seek justice when crimes are committed. This bill supports local district attorney offices to ensure they have the resources needed to better attract and retain talented attorneys to prosecute local crime,” Senator Casey said. “I will always fight for Pennsylvania communities, and investing in local prosecutors is vital to keeping our Commonwealth safe.”

U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Jim Baird (R-IN-4), Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and Joe Neguse (D-CO-2) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The act would create a program that establishes $10 million per year in competitive grants. Since the pandemic, there has been a growing hiring crisis for prosecutors, according to Casey. In Pennsylvania, while most district attorneys report high job satisfaction they also report that the three most significant factors that would make them leave their jobs are: better pay, lower caseloads, and personal well-being.

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Read more about the HIRRE Prosecutors Act here .

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