Bill > HB732

This bill amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to provide protections for victims of domestic violence in shared telephone plans. The legislation requires that when a protection order is issued, the court must order the defendant to remove the plaintiff from a shared telephone plan contract within three calendar days and pay any associated fees or penalties. The bill defines key terms like "shared telephone plan" and "telecommunications service provider" to include various communication services such as voice, messaging, data, and internet access. Additionally, the bill mandates that telecommunications service providers allow domestic violence victims to opt out of shared telephone plans without charge, upon providing documentation such as a police report, protection order, or affidavit from a qualified professional. Victims can request a new telephone number within 24 hours at no additional cost, and the documentation provided must be submitted at the time of the opt-out request and issued within the last six months. The bill also ensures the confidentiality of documents submitted by domestic violence victims and applies to telephone plan contracts entered into on or after the effective date. The provisions aim to give domestic violence survivors more control over their communication services and reduce potential financial and personal barriers to separating from an abusive partner.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=732