{"data":{"id":"us-pa/44-pa.c.s.-7303","jurisdiction":"us-pa","citation":"44 Pa.C.S. § 7303","heading":"Background investigation required.","body":"(a) General rule.--A prospective employing law enforcement agency shall conduct a thorough background investigation on an applicant, including a review of the applicant's employment information and separation records, if applicable, in accordance with this chapter, before the applicant may be employed. The background investigation shall determine at a minimum whether the applicant meets the standards established by the commission.\n(b) Higher standards not precluded.--The required background investigation does not prevent a law enforcement agency from establishing higher standards for law enforcement employees if those standards are not contrary to applicable law.","path":["Title 44 - LAW AND JUSTICE","PART IV OTHER OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS","CHAPTER 73 LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION"],"source_url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM\u0026ttl=44\u0026div=0\u0026chpt=73\u0026sctn=3\u0026subsctn=0","current_through":"2026-07-29 (Statute Update stamp, 44 Pa.C.S.)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T16:33:23Z","sha256":"f7bd4996bcc56866d0b8fdcedcd1543d899930cf4fe36111434a13643ca3ed0c","source_id":"us-pa","stale":false,"prev":"us-pa/44-pa.c.s.-7302","next":"us-pa/44-pa.c.s.-7304"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}