PA Dems Propose Expulsion Rules After Kevin Boyle Criminally Charged

HARRISBURG, PA — Just days after an arrest warrant was issued for Rep. Kevin Boyle, lawmakers took the first step in creating a process that could ultimately expel him from the state House of Representatives.

In response to the charges against Boyle, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford on Thursday introduced a resolution to create a subcommittee of leaders from both parties to determine whether a lawmaker is "incapacitated" or suffers from a temporary or permanent impairment.

The subcommittee would then have the power to sanction or expel the member if they're found to be physically or mentally impaired and unable to fulfill their duties as a legislator, according to the proposed resolution.

• RELATED: Arrest Warrant Issued For State Rep Kevin Boyle: Reports

A warrant was issued for Boyle's arrest Tuesday after authorities said he violated a protection from abuse order. Details about the warrant have not been released.

A Philadelphia police spokesperson told the Associated Press that Boyle is not in custody as of Thursday afternoon.

Boyle has served Pennsylvania's 172nd District in Harrisburg since 2011.

Boyle was previously charged with harassment and violation of a protection from abuse order after showing up at his wife's house in 2021, but those charges were dropped, according to an Action News report.

Earlier this year, a video surfaced of Boyle in a Montgomery County bar showing him arguing with employees and threatening to use his position to close the bar. In response to the incident, Boyle lost his committee chairmanship and Capitol access privileges, reports said.

On Wednesday, Boyle’s brother, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, said in a statement that family, friends, and colleagues "have done everything possible to get him to enter into treatment, but we have been frustrated by a system that gives little power to the loved ones of an adult with a serious mental health condition."