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PRINTER'S NO. 442
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
479
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY HOWARD, HILL-EVANS, BOBACK, SANCHEZ, CIRESI,
SCHLOSSBERG, GUENST, SHUSTERMAN, HOHENSTEIN, PASHINSKI,
KIRKLAND, ISAACSON AND O'MARA, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
AN ACT
Amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and
Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for
definitions and for relief; and, in protection of victims of
sexual violence or intimidation, further providing for
relief.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "victim" in section 6102(a) of
Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to
read:
§ 6102. Definitions.
(a) General rule.--The following words and phrases when used
in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Victim." A person who is physically, emotionally or
sexually abused by [a family or household member.] another
person or subjected to other patterns of harassment causing
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significant distress. For purposes of section 6116 (relating to
confidentiality), a victim is a person against whom abuse is
committed who consults a domestic violence counselor or advocate
for the purpose of securing advice, counseling or assistance.
The term shall also include persons who have a significant
relationship with the victim and who seek advice, counseling or
assistance from a domestic violence counselor or advocate
regarding abuse of the victim.
* * *
Section 2. Section 6108(a)(6) of Title 23 is amended to
read:
§ 6108. Relief.
(a) General rule.--Subject to subsection (a.1), the court
may grant any protection order or approve any consent agreement
to bring about a cessation of abuse of the plaintiff or minor
children. The order or agreement may include:
* * *
(6) Prohibiting the defendant from having any contact
with the plaintiff or minor children, including, but not
limited to, restraining the defendant from entering the place
of employment or business or school of the plaintiff or minor
children and from harassing the plaintiff or plaintiff's
relatives or minor children. For purposes of this subsection,
the term "harassment" includes contact, attempts to contact
in person, by phone, e-mail or social media, including
following or requests to follow public web pages, or
knowingly attending events where the victim will be in
attendance.
* * *
Section 3. Section 62A07(b)(1) of Title 42 is amended to
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read:
§ 62A07. Relief.
* * *
(b) General rule.--An order or a consent agreement may
include:
(1) Prohibiting the defendant from having any contact
with the victim, including, but not limited to, restraining
the defendant from entering the victim's residence, place of
employment, business or school. This may include prohibiting
contact, attempts to contact in person, by phone, e-mail or
social media, including following or requests to follow
public web pages, or knowingly attending events where the
victim will be in attendance, and indirect contact through
third parties and also prohibiting direct or indirect contact
with other designated persons.
* * *
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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