Bill > HB40

This bill amends Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws to expand and clarify provisions related to relief for abuse victims. The bill modifies existing law to allow courts more flexibility in protecting plaintiffs and minor children by introducing several key changes. These include clarifying that neither party is barred from filing separate custody petitions, expanding support order requirements to include spousal medical support, and establishing detailed criteria for ordering electronic monitoring of defendants. The electronic monitoring provisions are particularly significant, allowing courts to mandate device usage when they determine a plaintiff or children are in immediate danger. The bill outlines specific factors for assessing danger, such as previous order violations, injury history, abuse characteristics (including threats, stalking, or substance abuse), and the technological capabilities of monitoring devices. The monitoring technology must provide immediate notifications to law enforcement and the plaintiff, allow communication, include a loud alarm, and be trackable via satellite or cellular technology. The support order provisions require filing a formal support complaint within two weeks, or the support portion of the protection order becomes void. The bill will take effect 60 days after enactment, providing time for implementation and system preparation.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=40