SENATE AMENDED
        PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1335, 3603               PRINTER'S NO. 4265

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 1181 Session of 1995


        INTRODUCED BY MAYERNIK, RUDY, LAUGHLIN, DALEY, ROBINSON,
           L. I. COHEN, DONATUCCI, KENNEY, MERRY, ITKIN, JOSEPHS,
           MICHLOVIC AND STEELMAN, MARCH 16, 1995

        SENATOR GREENLEAF, JUDICIARY, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED,
           NOVEMBER 19, 1996

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
     2     Consolidated Statutes, further providing for orders for
     3     protection from domestic abuse AND FOR THE RELEASE OF          <--
     4     CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS.

     5     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     6  hereby enacts as follows:
     7     Section 1.  Section 6108(a)(7) of Title 23 of the              <--
     8  Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
     9     SECTION 1.  SECTION 6104 OF TITLE 23 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA       <--
    10  CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED TO READ:
    11  § 6104.  REGISTRATION OF ORDER.                                   <--
    12     (A)  REGISTRY.--THE PROTHONOTARY SHALL MAINTAIN A REGISTRY IN
    13  WHICH IT SHALL ENTER CERTIFIED COPIES OF PROTECTION ORDERS
    14  ENTERED BY COURTS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN THIS COMMONWEALTH
    15  PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER.
    16     (B)  REGISTRATION OF ORDER IN ANY COUNTY.--A PLAINTIFF WHO
    17  OBTAINS A VALID ORDER UNDER THIS CHAPTER MAY [REGISTER] FILE


     1  THAT ORDER WITHOUT FEE OR COST IN ANY COUNTY WITHIN THIS
     2  COMMONWEALTH WHERE THE PLAINTIFF BELIEVES ENFORCEMENT MAY BE
     3  NECESSARY. A COURT SHALL RECOGNIZE AND ENFORCE A VALID ORDER
     4  UNDER THIS CHAPTER WHICH HAS BEEN ISSUED BY ANOTHER COURT BUT
     5  PROPERLY [REGISTERED WITH A COUNTY] FILED WITHIN THE JUDICIAL
     6  DISTRICT OF THE COURT WHERE ENFORCEMENT IS SOUGHT OR RECORDED IN
     7  THE REGISTRY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE. COUNTY REGISTRIES
     8  SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED WHEN THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
     9  REGISTRY PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 6105(E) (RELATING TO
    10  RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES) IS ESTABLISHED AND
    11  IS FULLY OPERATIONAL.
    12     (C)  FILING AND REGISTRATION OF A FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDER.--
    13  A COURT SHALL RECOGNIZE AND ENFORCE A VALID FOREIGN PROTECTION
    14  ORDER WHICH HAS BEEN ISSUED BY A COMPARABLE COURT IN ANOTHER
    15  STATE [AND PROPERLY REGISTERED WITHIN A COUNTY WHERE ENFORCEMENT
    16  IS SOUGHT OR RECORDED IN THE REGISTRY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE
    17  POLICE.], UNITED STATES TERRITORY OR TRIBAL LAND.
    18         (1)  A PLAINTIFF WHO OBTAINS A VALID FOREIGN ORDER MAY
    19     FILE A CERTIFIED COPY OF THAT ORDER WITH A CLERK OF COURT IN
    20     ANY COUNTY WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH WHERE THE PLAINTIFF
    21     BELIEVES ENFORCEMENT MAY BE NECESSARY.
    22         (2)  FILING OF A FOREIGN ORDER SHALL BE WITHOUT FEE OR
    23     COST.
    24         (3)  UPON APPLICATION OF A PLAINTIFF SEEKING ENFORCEMENT
    25     OF A FOREIGN ORDER, A CLERK OF COURT WHO HAS BEEN PRESENTED
    26     WITH A CERTIFIED COPY OF A FOREIGN ORDER SHALL TRANSMIT A
    27     COPY OF SUCH ORDER AND SUMMARY FACE SHEET TO THE ABUSE
    28     DATABASE SERVER AND THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
    29     WITH A COMMONWEALTH LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE NETWORK CLEAN
    30     TERMINAL FOR ENTRY INTO THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
    19950H1181B4265                  - 2 -

     1     STATEWIDE PROTECTION ORDER REGISTRY.
     2     [(C)  CERTIFIED COPY.--A VALID ORDER UNDER THIS CHAPTER MAY
     3  BE REGISTERED BY THE PLAINTIFF IN A COUNTY OTHER THAN THE
     4  ISSUING COUNTY BY OBTAINING A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE
     5  ISSUING COURT ENDORSED BY THE PROTHONOTARY OF THAT COURT AND
     6  PRESENTING THAT CERTIFIED ORDER TO THE PROTHONOTARY WHERE THE
     7  ORDER IS TO BE REGISTERED.] (D)  CERTIFIED COPY.--A CERTIFIED
     8  COPY OF A PROTECTION ORDER IS AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF THE ORDER
     9  OF THE ISSUING COURT ENDORSED BY THE PROTHONOTARY OR APPROPRIATE
    10  CLERK OF THAT COURT.
    11     [(D)  PROOF OF REGISTRATION] (E)  PROOF OF FILING.--UPON
    12  RECEIPT OF A CERTIFIED ORDER FOR [REGISTRATION] FILING, THE
    13  PROTHONOTARY SHALL PROVIDE THE PLAINTIFF WITH A COPY BEARING THE
    14  PROOF OF [REGISTRATION] FILING TO BE [FILED WITH] DELIVERED TO
    15  THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
    16     [(E)  REGISTRATION] (F)  REGISTRATION AND/OR FILING IN EACH
    17  COUNTY NOT REQUIRED.--REGISTRATION AND/OR FILING OF ORDERS
    18  [UNDER THIS SECTION] IN EACH COUNTY WHERE A PLAINTIFF BELIEVES
    19  ENFORCEMENT MAY BE NECESSARY SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED UPON THE
    20  ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
    21  REGISTRY PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 6105(E).
    22     SECTION 2.  SECTION 6105(E) OF TITLE 23 IS AMENDED AND THE
    23  SECTION IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ:
    24  § 6105.  RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
    25     * * *
    26     (E)  STATEWIDE REGISTRY.--
    27         (1)  THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE SHALL ESTABLISH A
    28     STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF PROTECTION ORDERS AND SHALL MAINTAIN A
    29     [COMPLETE AND] EMERGENCY, SYSTEMATIC RECORD AND INDEX OF ALL
    30     VALID TEMPORARY AND FINAL COURT ORDERS OF PROTECTION OR
    19950H1181B4265                  - 3 -

     1     COURT-APPROVED CONSENT AGREEMENTS. THE STATEWIDE REGISTRY
     2     SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NEED NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
     3             (I)  THE NAMES OF THE PLAINTIFF AND ANY PROTECTED
     4         PARTIES.
     5             (II)  THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE DEFENDANT.
     6             (III)  THE DATE THE ORDER WAS ENTERED.
     7             (IV)  THE DATE THE ORDER EXPIRES.
     8             (V)  THE RELIEF GRANTED UNDER SECTIONS 6108(A)(1),
     9         (2), (4), (6) AND (7) (RELATING TO RELIEF) AND 6110(A)
    10         (RELATING TO EMERGENCY RELIEF BY MINOR JUDICIARY).
    11             (VI)  THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE ORDER WAS
    12         ENTERED.
    13             (VII)  WHERE FURNISHED, THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
    14         AND DATE OF BIRTH OF THE DEFENDANT.
    15             (VIII)  CAUTION INDICATOR MEANS SUBJECT IS BELIEVED
    16         TO BE ARMED OR DANGEROUS.
    17             (IX)  BRADY RECORD INDICATOR MEANS SUBJECT IS
    18         PROHIBITED FROM PURCHASING OR POSSESSING A FIREARM UNDER
    19         FEDERAL LAW.
    20             (X)  NAME OF ISSUING JUDGE.
    21         (2)  THE PROTHONOTARY SHALL [SEND, ON A FORM PRESCRIBED
    22     BY THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE,] TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE
    23     PROTECTION ORDER OR [APPROVED] COURT-APPROVED CONSENT
    24     AGREEMENT AND A SUMMARY FACE SHEET TO THE [STATEWIDE REGISTRY
    25     OF PROTECTION ORDERS SO THAT IT IS RECEIVED WITHIN 24 HOURS
    26     OF THE ENTRY OF THE ORDER. LIKEWISE, AMENDMENTS TO OR
    27     REVOCATION OF AN ORDER SHALL BE TRANSMITTED BY THE
    28     PROTHONOTARY WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE ENTRY OF THE ORDER FOR
    29     MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION. THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
    30     SHALL ENTER ORDERS, AMENDMENTS AND REVOCATIONS IN THE
    19950H1181B4265                  - 4 -

     1     STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF PROTECTION ORDERS WITHIN EIGHT HOURS OF
     2     RECEIPT.
     3         (3)  THE REGISTRY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE SHALL
     4     BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES TO INFORM COURTS, DISPATCHERS AND
     5     LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF ANY VALID PROTECTION ORDER
     6     INVOLVING ANY DEFENDANT.] ABUSE DATABASE SERVER AND THE
     7     APPROPRIATE AGENCY WITH A COMMONWEALTH LAW ENFORCEMENT
     8     ASSISTANCE NETWORK (CLEAN) TERMINAL WITHIN THE JURISDICTION
     9     WHERE THE PLAINTIFF RESIDES OR SEEKS ENFORCEMENT. THAT AGENCY
    10     SHALL TRANSMIT DATA FROM THE SUMMARY FACE SHEET, VIA CLEAN,
    11     TO THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF
    12     PROTECTION ORDERS SO THAT IT IS RECEIVED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF
    13     THE ENTRY OF THE ORDER. LIKEWISE, AMENDMENTS TO OR REVOCATION
    14     OF AN ORDER AND AN UPDATED SUMMARY FACE SHEET SHALL BE
    15     TRANSMITTED BY THE PROTHONOTARY TO THE ABUSE DATA SERVER AND
    16     THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY WITH A CLEAN TERMINAL WITHIN THE
    17     JURISDICTION WHERE THE PLAINTIFF RESIDES OR SEEKS
    18     ENFORCEMENT. THE CLEAN TERMINAL OPERATOR SHALL TRANSMIT DATA
    19     FROM THE UPDATED SUMMARY FACE SHEET, VIA CLEAN, TO THE
    20     PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF PROTECTION
    21     ORDERS SO THAT IT IS RECEIVED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE ENTRY OF
    22     THE ORDER FOR MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION.
    23         (3)  THE HEARING OFFICER UNDER SECTION 6110 SHALL
    24     TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDER TO THE
    25     ABUSE DATABASE SERVER AND THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
    26     STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF PROTECTION ORDERS WITHIN SIX HOURS OF
    27     THE ENTRY OF THE ORDER. LIKEWISE, AMENDMENTS TO OR REVOCATION
    28     OF AN EMERGENCY ORDER SHALL BE TRANSMITTED BY THE HEARING
    29     OFFICER TO THE ABUSE DATABASE SERVER AND THE PENNSYLVANIA
    30     STATE POLICE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF PROTECTION ORDERS WITHIN
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     1     SIX HOURS OF THE ENTRY OF THE ORDER FOR MODIFICATION OR
     2     REVOCATION.
     3     * * *
     4     (H)  FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDERS.--ALL FOREIGN PROTECTION
     5  ORDERS ISSUED BY ANOTHER STATE, TRIBAL OR UNITED STATES
     6  TERRITORIAL COURT SHALL HAVE THE PRESUMPTION OF VALIDITY IN THIS
     7  COMMONWEALTH. THE VALIDITY OF A FOREIGN ORDER SHALL ONLY BE
     8  DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. UNTIL A FOREIGN
     9  ORDER IS DECLARED TO BE INVALID BY A COURT OF COMPETENT
    10  JURISDICTION, IT SHALL BE GIVEN FULL FAITH AND CREDIT BY ALL LAW
    11  ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.
    12         (1)  ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHALL TREAT FOREIGN
    13     PROTECTION ORDERS AS LEGAL DOCUMENTS, VALID IN THIS
    14     COMMONWEALTH, AND SHALL MAKE ARRESTS FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF
    15     IN THE SAME MANNER AS FOR VIOLATIONS OF PROTECTION ORDERS
    16     ISSUED WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH.
    17         (2)  THE FACT THAT A FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDER HAS NOT
    18     BEEN FILED WITH A CLERK OF COURT OR ENTERED INTO THE ABUSE
    19     DATABASE AND/OR THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE STATEWIDE
    20     PROTECTION ORDER REGISTRY SHALL NOT BE GROUNDS FOR A LAW
    21     ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO REFUSE TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF
    22     THE ORDER UNLESS IT IS APPARENT TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT
    23     OFFICER TO WHOM A FOREIGN ORDER IS PRESENTED THAT THE ORDER
    24     IS INVALID ON ITS FACE, I.E., IT HAS EXPIRED OR THE ORDER
    25     DOES NOT CONTAIN THE NAMES OF BOTH PARTIES, OR THE ALLEGED
    26     CONDUCT/VIOLATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ARRESTABLE OFFENSE
    27     UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.
    28         (3)  A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY RELY UPON A COPY OF
    29     ANY FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDER WHICH HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE
    30     OFFICER BY ANY SOURCE AND MAY ALSO RELY UPON THE STATEMENT OF
    19950H1181B4265                  - 6 -

     1     ANY PERSON PROTECTED BY THE FOREIGN ORDER THAT THE ORDER
     2     REMAINS IN EFFECT.
     3         (4)  A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ACTING IN GOOD FAITH SHALL
     4     BE IMMUNE FROM CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN ANY ACTION
     5     ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH A COURT'S FINDING THAT THE FOREIGN
     6     ORDER IS NOT ENFORCEABLE.
     7     SECTION 3.  SECTIONS 6108(A)(7) AND (C), 6113(A), 6118 AND
     8  6340(A) OF TITLE 23 ARE AMENDED TO READ:
     9  § 6108.  Relief.
    10     (a)  General rule.--The court may grant any protection order
    11  or approve any consent agreement to bring about a cessation of
    12  abuse of the plaintiff or minor children. The order or agreement
    13  may include:
    14         * * *
    15         (7)  Ordering the defendant to temporarily relinquish to
    16     the sheriff the defendant's weapons which have been used or
    17     been threatened to be used in an incident of abuse against
    18     the plaintiff or the minor children and prohibiting the
    19     defendant from acquiring or possessing any other weapons for
    20     the duration of the order. The court's order shall provide
    21     for the return of the weapons to the defendant subject to any
    22     restrictions and conditions as the court shall deem
    23     appropriate to protect the plaintiff or minor children from
    24     further abuse through the use of weapons. A copy of the
    25     court's order shall be transmitted to the sheriff of the
    26     county of which the defendant is a resident.
    27         * * *
    28     (C)  [MUTUAL ORDERS OF PROTECTION.--MUTUAL ORDERS OF           <--
    29  PROTECTION SHALL NOT BE AWARDED UNLESS BOTH PARTIES HAVE FILED
    30  TIMELY WRITTEN PETITIONS, COMPLIED WITH SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
    19950H1181B4265                  - 7 -

     1  UNDER SECTION 6106 (RELATING TO COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS) AND
     2  ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PROTECTION UNDER THIS CHAPTER. THE COURT SHALL
     3  MAKE SEPARATE FINDINGS AND, WHERE ISSUING ORDERS ON BEHALF OF
     4  BOTH PETITIONERS, ENTER SEPARATE ORDERS.] CROSS OR COUNTER
     5  PETITION.--A PROTECTION ORDER SHALL NOT BE ISSUED AGAINST ONE
     6  WHO HAS PETITIONED, FILED A COMPLAINT OR OTHERWISE FILED A
     7  WRITTEN PLEADING FOR PROTECTION FROM ABUSE AGAINST A FAMILY OR
     8  HOUSEHOLD MEMBER UNLESS:
     9         (1)  THE OPPOSING PARTY HAS FILED A CROSS OR COUNTER
    10     PETITION SEEKING SUCH A PROTECTION ORDER.
    11         (2)  IF A CROSS OR COUNTER PETITION HAS BEEN FILED BY THE
    12     OPPOSING PARTY, THE COURT HAS MADE SPECIFIC FINDINGS THAT THE
    13     OPPOSING PARTY IS ENTITLED TO SUCH AN ORDER.
    14     * * *
    15  § 6113.  ARREST FOR VIOLATION OF ORDER.
    16     (A)  GENERAL RULE.--AN ARREST FOR VIOLATION OF AN ORDER
    17  ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER OR A FOREIGN ORDER ISSUED BY
    18  ANOTHER STATE, UNITED STATES TERRITORY OR TRIBAL COURT MAY BE
    19  WITHOUT WARRANT UPON PROBABLE CAUSE WHETHER OR NOT THE VIOLATION
    20  IS COMMITTED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE OFFICER IN
    21  CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE DEFENDANT HAS VIOLATED A PROVISION OF AN
    22  ORDER CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 6108(A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6) OR
    23  (7) (RELATING TO RELIEF). THE POLICE OFFICER MAY VERIFY, IF
    24  NECESSARY, THE EXISTENCE OF A PROTECTION ORDER BY TELEPHONE OR
    25  RADIO, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE
    26  POLICE DEPARTMENT, [COUNTY REGISTRY] STATEWIDE REGISTRY ABUSE
    27  DATABASE OR ISSUING AUTHORITY. A POLICE OFFICER SHALL ARREST A
    28  DEFENDANT FOR VIOLATING AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS CHAPTER BY A
    29  COURT WITHIN THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT, ISSUED BY A COURT IN ANOTHER
    30  JUDICIAL DISTRICT WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH OR ISSUED BY A
    19950H1181B4265                  - 8 -

     1  COMPARABLE COURT IN ANOTHER STATE [AND REGISTERED PURSUANT TO
     2  THIS CHAPTER OR VERIFIED THROUGH THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
     3  REGISTRY.], UNITED STATES TERRITORY OR TRIBAL LAND.
     4     * * *
     5  § 6118.  FULL FAITH AND CREDIT.
     6     [(A)  GENERAL RULE.--ANY PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED BY A COURT
     7  OF ANOTHER STATE AND REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 6104 (RELATING TO
     8  REGISTRATION OF ORDER) SHALL BE ACCORDED FULL FAITH AND CREDIT
     9  BY THE COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH AND ENFORCED
    10  AS IF IT WERE ISSUED IN THIS COMMONWEALTH ONLY IF THE ISSUING
    11  COURT HAD JURISDICTION UNDER THE LAW OF THE OTHER STATE AT THE
    12  TIME OF ISSUANCE.
    13     (B)  AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.--A DEFENDANT MUST HAVE BEEN GIVEN
    14  REASONABLE NOTICE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD BEFORE THE
    15  ORDER OF THE OTHER STATE WAS ISSUED, PROVIDED, IN THE CASE OF EX
    16  PARTE ORDERS, NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD WAS GIVEN AS
    17  SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE ORDER WAS ISSUED, CONSISTENT WITH DUE
    18  PROCESS. FAILURE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO
    19  BE HEARD SHALL BE AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE
    20  REGISTERED PROTECTION ORDER.]
    21     (A)  VALID FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDER.--A PROTECTION ORDER
    22  ISSUED BY ANOTHER STATE, TRIBAL OR UNITED STATES TERRITORIAL
    23  COURT RELATED TO DOMESTIC OR FAMILY VIOLENCE SHALL BE DEEMED
    24  VALID BY THE COURTS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH IF THE ISSUING COURT
    25  HAD JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTIES AND SUBJECT MATTER UNDER THE
    26  LAWS OF THE STATE, TRIBE OR UNITED STATES TERRITORY.
    27     (B)  PRESUMPTION.--THERE SHALL BE A PRESUMPTION OF VALIDITY
    28  WHERE AN ORDER APPEARS VALID ON ITS FACE. THIS PRESUMPTION MAY
    29  BE REBUTTED ONLY BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE AT HEARING.
    30     (C)  NOTICE.--A DEFENDANT MUST BE GIVEN REASONABLE NOTICE AND
    19950H1181B4265                  - 9 -

     1  THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD BEFORE THE ORDER OF THE FOREIGN
     2  STATE, TRIBAL OR UNITED STATES TERRITORY WAS ISSUED, PROVIDED,
     3  IN THE CASE OF EX PARTE ORDERS, NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE
     4  HEARD WAS GIVEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE ORDER WAS ISSUED,
     5  CONSISTENT WITH DUE PROCESS.
     6     (D)  AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.--FAILURE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE
     7  NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD SHALL BE AN AFFIRMATIVE
     8  DEFENSE TO ANY CHARGE OR PROCESS FILED SEEKING ENFORCEMENT OF A
     9  FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDER.
    10  § 6340.  RELEASE OF INFORMATION IN CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS.
    11     (A)  GENERAL RULE.--REPORTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 6339
    12  (RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF REPORTS) SHALL ONLY BE MADE
    13  AVAILABLE TO:
    14         * * *
    15         (5.2)  A DISTRICT JUSTICE HAVING JURISDICTION IN
    16     CONNECTION WITH ANY MATTER INVOLVING CHILD ABUSE. THE
    17     DEPARTMENT OR COUNTY AGENCY SHALL PROVIDE ANY REPORTS AND
    18     FILES THAT THE DISTRICT JUSTICE COURT CONSIDERS RELEVANT.
    19         * * *
    20     Section 2 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.           <--







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