The Pennsylvania Senate on Oct. 25 unanimously approved a bill that would require the dismissal of state police troopers convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.

“What this does is put the State Police on a parity with municipal police as far as their not being able to stay on duty after they have been convicted of a felony or a more serious misdemeanor,” bill sponsor Sen. Robert J. Thompson, R-West Goshen Township, said in a statement.

“Up until now, the way the law is written, a state police trooper could stay on duty after he or she is convicted of a crime.”

SB877 now heads to the House for consideration.