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PRINTER'S NO. 2953
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
735
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY GINGRICH, THOMAS, COHEN, GREINER, D. COSTA, JAMES,
DEAN, ROTHMAN, ENGLISH, BAKER, MURT, WARD, KILLION, CORBIN,
HARHART, BOBACK, STURLA, SCHLOSSBERG, PICKETT, PAYNE,
READSHAW, DONATUCCI, KOTIK, MILNE, FARRY, CUTLER, DAVIS,
MARSICO, V. BROWN AND GERGELY, MARCH 15, 2016
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 15, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the Protection from Abuse Act and publish a report
of its findings, including any recommended legislative and
policy changes.
WHEREAS, With the passage of the first Protection From Abuse
Act in 1976, Pennsylvania became the second state in the United
States to enact legislation for the specific purpose of
protecting victims of domestic abuse; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, the Protection from Abuse Act has
provided crucial and even lifesaving protections to thousands of
victims of abuse; and
WHEREAS, In order for a law's stated purposes to be
accomplished, legislation must be monitored by and on behalf of
those whose lives it affects; and
WHEREAS, The Protection from Abuse Act has undergone
substantial revision in the years since its initial passage; and
WHEREAS, Despite the continual improvement of the act, the
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real-world experiences of advocates, attorneys, law enforcement
officers, judges, victims and family members demonstrate that
further improvement in the law or its application may be
possible and desirable; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly is ever mindful of the need to
balance precautions for the physical safety of accusers against
the constitutional rights of defendants; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
undertake a study of the current Protection from Abuse Act with
an emphasis on identifying any "blind spots" or "gaps" in the
law or in how it is applied which, if corrected, may reduce
incidences of revictimization or death while still striking an
appropriate balance of rights; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the final report include any recommendations
for changes to statutes, practices, policies, programs and
procedures relating to the Protection from Abuse Act; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report to the House of Representatives with its findings and
recommendations no later than nine months from the adoption of
this resolution.
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