PRINTER'S NO. 446
No. 382 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY WILLIAMS, BUXTON, CLYMER, DENLINGER, EACHUS,
GOODMAN, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, KILLION, MAHONEY, O'NEILL,
READSHAW, SANTONI, STABACK AND YOUNGBLOOD, FEBRUARY 13, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 13, 2007
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2 Consolidated Statutes, further providing for protective
3 orders.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Section 4954 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
7 Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
8 § 4954. Protective orders.
9 Any court with jurisdiction over any criminal matter may,
10 after a hearing and in its discretion, upon substantial
11 evidence, which may include hearsay or the declaration of the
12 prosecutor that a witness or victim has been intimidated or is
13 reasonably likely to be intimidated, issue protective orders,
14 including, but not limited to, the following:
15 * * *
16 (5) Upon the request of a law enforcement officer,
17 prosecuting official or victim or witness, an order to do any
18 of the following:
1 (i) Conceal the identity of the victim or witness
2 when testifying by the use of teleconferencing, voice
3 distortion or other methods to prevent visual
4 identification. A judge must be present with the victim
5 or witness when the victim or witness is testifying and
6 their identity is concealed under this subparagraph.
7 (ii) Prohibit disclosure of the identity and
8 personal details of the victim or witness.
9 (iii) Institute security measures, including
10 transportation to court, provision of a secure room at
11 the courthouse or other facility and the provision of
12 police protection for the victim or witness.
13 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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