As alleged cop killer Eric Matthew Frein continues to elude police, legislation is heading to Gov. Tom Corbett might make it possible for even out-of-state law enforcement to arrest him should they find him.

The Senate voted 48-0 on Thursday to approve House-passed legislation that would extend arrest powers to out-of-state officers when the governor has declared an emergency and it would remain in effect until the disaster emergency declaration is terminated.

Corbett's spokesman Jay Pagni said an emergency was declared in the manhunt for Frein, who is charged in fatal shooting of state police Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding of Trooper Alex Douglass outside the Blooming Grove Township state police barracks in Pike County on Sept. 12.

Pagni said the governor declared an emergency on Sept. 18 to allow for the mutual aid from law enforcement agencies outside the state to assist with the search. Officers from New York and New Jersey are assisting local, state and federal authorities, said Trooper Adam Reed, a public information officer for the state police.

Giving those outside-the-state officers arrest powers is a "common sense solution," Reed said.

But beyond this particular search, he said, "It's very important because in any large-scale incident like this, we need to rely on out-of-state agencies. They need to have some method in place ... to grant them arrest powers in extreme cases."

Until this becomes law, he said those outside officers have no legal authority to arrest Frein should they locate him.

Pagni said the governor would review the legislation when he receives it and has 10 days to act once it hits his desk. If he signs it, it takes effect immediately.

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne County, said she considers extending this power to be essential given the ongoing manhunt. "This clarification ensures there is no question about an arrest," she said.

The extension of arrest powers was amended in the House to a bill Baker had worked on for more than two years to establish a disaster assistance program for municipalities to help repair damaged public facilities. Baker said she was glad the Legislature had related legislation in a position to be voted by both chambers quickly to grant this emergency power to the governor.

She added there likely are other issues that have arisen since the manhunt began that still need addressed though. That's why she has called for a hearing at the conclusion of the Frein manhunt to "look at are there other things we need to consider" to assist law enforcement in handling future incidents like this.