Bill > HB104

This bill amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to enhance protections for victims of abuse by introducing detailed provisions for electronic monitoring devices in protection from abuse (PFA) orders. The bill defines an electronic monitoring device as a GPS-enabled device that can continuously track a person's location within a 100-mile radius, which can be worn on the wrist or ankle and can only be removed with specialized equipment while automatically alerting law enforcement. Under the new provisions, courts can now require a defendant who presents a substantial risk of violating a protection order or committing a crime to wear such a device, which will monitor the defendant's location relative to the protected persons and specific locations. The court must specify the distance the defendant must maintain from protected individuals and can mandate device usage for the entire duration of the protection order, with the option to remove the device only for good cause and with notification to the plaintiff. The bill aims to provide an additional layer of safety for victims by enabling real-time tracking and location monitoring of potential abusers, with the new law set to take effect 60 days after its passage.