Bernstine Bill to Protect Pennsylvanians from Mugshot Extortion Passes House

June 23, 2026

HARRISBURG - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) to crack down on the commercial exploitation of booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, unanimously passed the House today.

House Bill 1585 would amend Pennsylvania's Crimes Code to create a new criminal offense prohibiting the publication or dissemination of booking photographs for commercial gain. Under the legislation, anyone who publishes a mugshot and then solicits or accepts payment to remove, alter or conceal it would be guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Each payment or solicitation would constitute a separate violation.

"This legislation is about protecting people from being exploited for profit," said Bernstine. "No one should be forced to pay a website to remove an arrest photo, especially when charges may have been dismissed or never resulted in a conviction. The House's bipartisan support for this bill sends a clear message that Pennsylvania will not tolerate businesses that profit by holding a person's reputation hostage."

Violations would also constitute a breach of Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. A person could be prosecuted if either the victim or offender resides in the Commonwealth.

A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling confirmed that mugshots are considered criminal history record information under state law and may not be released by non-law enforcement agencies, such as county prisons. The decision reinforced concerns about the misuse of booking photographs and the need for additional protections against their commercial exploitation.

More than 16 states, including Ohio and Louisiana, have enacted laws prohibiting the practice of charging individuals to remove booking photographs from websites.

The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.

Representative Aaron Bernstine
8th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437 (office), 717.497.8478 (cell)
[email protected]
RepBernstine.com