Bill > HB1982

This bill amends the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to expand the relief that can be granted in protection from abuse orders. The key provisions include: (1) allowing either party to file a custody petition after a protection order is issued, (2) requiring the defendant to provide health coverage and pay medical expenses for the spouse and minor children, and (3) authorizing the court to order the defendant to wear an electronic monitoring device if the court finds the plaintiff or minor children are in immediate and present danger of physical abuse and the order alone is unlikely to be effective. The bill also clarifies the factors the court must consider in determining whether an immediate and present danger of abuse exists to justify the electronic monitoring requirement.