PRINTER'S NO. 2832
No. 2172 Session of 2000
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, PIPPY, LAUGHLIN, SOLOBAY, M. COHEN, BEBKO-
JONES, HARHAI, READSHAW, GEIST, VAN HORNE, COSTA, FRANKEL,
WALKO, JOSEPHS, PISTELLA, BROWNE, YOUNGBLOOD, TRELLO, SEMMEL,
MYERS, DeLUCA, STEELMAN, HENNESSEY AND RAMOS, JANUARY 4, 2000
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 4, 2000
AN ACT
1 Amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and
2 Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
3 Statutes, providing for the utilization of family visitation
4 centers in judicial districts; and providing for the
5 establishment of local family visitation centers in this
6 Commonwealth.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
10 Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
11 § 5315. Family visitation center.
12 (a) Request by party.--Any parent of a child who is the
13 subject of a custody order may, prior to the entry of the order,
14 request the use of a family visitation center established
15 pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 3728 (relating to family visitation
16 center).
17 (b) Action by judge.--In custody cases involving minor
18 children, the judge may order a party to use the family
19 visitation center in order to:
1 (1) visit with or exchange a child; or
2 (2) attend an educational group pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §
3 3728(c)(2).
4 (c) Contents of order.--If the judge orders a parent of a
5 child subject to a custody order to use the family visitation
6 center, the order shall contain a statement regarding use of the
7 family visitation center, including whether the family
8 visitation center is to be used to provide supervised
9 visitation, supervised exchange of children or an opportunity to
10 participate in educational groups.
11 Section 2. Title 42 is amended by adding sections to read:
12 § 3728. Family visitation center.
13 (a) Requirement.--Each judicial district in this
14 Commonwealth shall establish a family visitation center to be
15 located in the county judicial center or courthouse or other
16 centralized location as designated by the president judge. Each
17 family visitation center shall provide a secure setting,
18 specialized procedures for supervised visitation and supervision
19 by persons trained in security and the avoidance of family
20 violence.
21 (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the family visitation center is
22 to:
23 (1) Provide a parent with a child who is the subject of
24 a custody order a safe and secure place to exchange that
25 child with the other parent.
26 (2) Provide a child who is the subject of a custody
27 order a safe and secure place to visit with a parent.
28 (c) Services.--A family visitation center shall provide the
29 following:
30 (1) A safe, secure and supervised place for a child who
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1 is the subject of a custody order to visit with a parent.
2 (2) Educational groups for parents of children who are
3 the subjects of custody orders.
4 (3) Employees who are trained in security and the
5 prevention and avoidance of family violence.
6 (d) Cooperation.--Each judicial district shall consult with
7 and cooperate with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania
8 Courts regarding fulfillment of duties under this section.
9 § 3729. Duties of Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
10 The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts shall be
11 responsible for the following:
12 (1) Providing technical and other assistance as needed
13 to ensure that a safe, secure and supervised family
14 visitation center is established in each judicial district.
15 (2) Assisting each judicial district in developing and
16 implementing educational programs for parents who use the
17 family visitation center.
18 (3) Developing and distributing informational materials
19 to each judicial district and throughout this Commonwealth
20 regarding the family visitation center program so that the
21 general public will know of its existence and the services
22 offered.
23 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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