Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB383

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

In alimony and support, further providing for alimony.

Impact

If enacted, HB383 would have significant implications for alimony laws in Pennsylvania, reinforcing the protection of victims in domestic situations where there is a history of personal injury crimes. This change will likely discourage inappropriate financial claims for alimony by individuals convicted of serious offenses against their former partners, thereby promoting fairness in the judicial proceedings related to divorce.

Summary

House Bill 383 aims to amend Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes relating to alimony and support. The primary focus of the bill is to clarify the conditions under which alimony may be awarded, particularly in cases where one party has been convicted of a personal injury crime against the other. The proposed changes specify that a party convicted of such crimes cannot receive alimony unless a court finds that an award is necessary to prevent manifest injustice. Additionally, any alimony paid by an injured party before the conviction can be recovered through petition.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB383 appears to be largely supportive among lawmakers prioritizing victim protection. Many advocates argue that the bill is a necessary step towards ensuring that individuals who have suffered injury from a partner are not further victimized by having to financially support their abuser. However, there may be concerns from certain legal perspectives about the potential impacts on the alimony framework and the fair rights of parties in divorce scenarios who have not been convicted.

Contention

Key points of contention regarding HB383 include discussions about the implications of categorizing someone as a perpetrator of a personal injury crime and its influence on their financial obligations. Critics may argue that the bill could disproportionately affect those who have not been acutely violent but may have had issues in a contentious marriage. The challenge lies in balancing necessary legal protections for victims while ensuring fair treatment in the alimony process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB149

In alimony and support, further providing for alimony.

PA SB1329

In alimony and support, further providing for alimony pendente lite, counsel fees and expenses.

PA HB1524

In alimony and support, further providing for alimony pendente lite, counsel fees and expenses.

PA HB2303

In preliminary provisions relating to divorce, further providing for legislative findings and intent, for definitions, for bases of jurisdiction, for effect of agreement between parties and for premarital agreements; in dissolution of marital status, further providing for grounds for divorce, repealing provisions relating to counseling, further providing for grounds for annulment of voidable marriages, repealing provisions relating to defenses, to action where defendant suffering from mental disorder and to general appearance and collusion, further providing for hearing by master, providing for general order of divorce proceedings, repealing provisions relating to jury trial, further providing for decree of court and repealing provisions relating to opening or vacating decrees; in property rights, further providing for definitions and for disposition of property to defeat obligations; in alimony and support, further providing for alimony and repealing provisions relating to bar to alimony; and repealing provisions relating to mediation.

PA HB1120

In intestate succession, further providing for forfeiture; in elective share of surviving spouse, further providing for right of election and resident decedent; in wills, further providing for modification by circumstances; in estates, further providing for modification by divorce or pending divorce and for effect of divorce or pending divorce on designation of beneficiaries; in preliminary provisions, further providing for legislative findings and intent, for definitions and for premarital agreements; in dissolution of marital status, further providing for grounds for divorce, repealing provisions relating to counseling, further providing for grounds for annulment of voidable marriages, repealing provisions relating to defenses, to action where defendant suffering from mental disorder and to general appearance and collusion, providing for general order of divorce proceedings, repealing provisions relating to jury trial, further providing for decree of court and repealing provisions relating to limitations on attacks upon decrees and to opening or vacating decrees; in alimony and support, further providing for bar to alimony; and, in mediation, further providing for mediation programs.

PA HB2018

In child custody, further providing for factors to consider when awarding custody.

PA HB1982

In protection from abuse, further providing for relief.

PA HB2506

In support matters generally, further providing for support guideline; and, in child custody, further providing for definitions, for award of custody and for presumption in cases concerning primary physical custody.

PA HB1470

In limitation of time, further providing for six months limitation; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity, for limitations on damages and for exceptions to governmental immunity and providing for claims for compensation for wrongful conviction; in general administration, providing for services after wrongful conviction; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of department.

PA SB791

In limitation of time, further providing for six months limitation; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity, for limitations on damages and for exceptions to governmental immunity and providing for claims for compensation for wrongful conviction; in general administration, providing for services after wrongful conviction; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of department.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.