HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Senator Tim Kearney announced on Wednesday the introduction of a new bill that would ban police from using no-knock warrants.
The law would named "Breonna's Law" after the 26-year-old Black woman who was shot to death by police on March 13.
Three plainclothes officers used the no-knock warrant to forcefully enter Taylor's Louisville, Kentucky apartment and shot her eight times.
Kearny stressed the importance of never allowing a similar incident to take place: "Breonna Taylor should be alive today.
"But police used a no-knock warrant to burst into her home unannounced and shoot her eight times in the middle of the night.
"My bill would ban no-knock warrants like the one that led to Breonna's death.
"No-knock warrants pose a deadly risk to innocent lives, especially Black lives.
"We must ensure this never happens again," said Kearney.
The new bill would require officers to knock at the residence and announce themselves.
The officer would also be required to wait at least 15 seconds for any responses.
Police would have to activate body cameras five minutes before and after the operation. The body cameras must be on during the entire span of the operation, as well.
Plain clothes would also be banned with the new bill; any law enforcement agent must wear clothing that identifies them as such.
It's estimated that 20,000 no-knock raids are conducted annually across the U.S.
Additionally, in the seven-year window from 2010 to 2016, 31 civilians and eight officers were killed during the raids, according to The New York Times. The no-knock warrants have already been outlawed in some states, such as Oregon and Florida.
Senator Kearny has set up a Citizen Co-Sponsorship Campaign, where supporters of the bill can become co-sponsors.
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