Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1432

Introduced
5/8/25  

Caption

In protection from abuse, further providing for definitions.

Impact

This legislation is expected to have a significant impact on how abuse cases are defined and prosecuted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With clearer definitions, the bill aims to assist law enforcement and judicial authorities in appropriately categorizing abuse incidents, thereby improving the handling of cases involving domestic violence. The defined terms will also provide better guidance for social services and organizations that work with victims, ensuring they can offer accurate assistance and support in accordance with updated legal standards.

Summary

House Bill 1432 aims to amend Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically focusing on the definition of 'abuse' within the context of domestic relations. The bill seeks to clarify what constitutes abuse between family or household members as well as intimate partners. By providing a more comprehensive and specific definition, lawmakers intend to enhance the protections available to those affected by domestic violence and improve the understanding of the law among both legal practitioners and the general public.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 1432 appears to be largely positive among advocates of domestic abuse prevention and support services. They view the bill as a necessary step towards providing better protection for vulnerable individuals. However, there may be some concerns regarding how the changes might affect existing laws and services, particularly regarding potential resource allocation for enforcement and support systems. These discussions underscore a broader commitment to improving safety and care for individuals affected by domestic abuse.

Contention

While the bill enjoys broad support, there are discussions around the potential implications of the updated definitions. Some legislative members and advocacy groups are concerned that the changes could lead to an increase in cases filed, overwhelming the courts and social services without appropriate funding. Additionally, there is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of definitions alone in preventing domestic abuse, suggesting that while the bill is a step in the right direction, it should be part of a more comprehensive approach to address the root causes of domestic violence in Pennsylvania.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB835

In protection from abuse, further providing for definitions.

PA HB796

In protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief.

PA SB221

In protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief.

PA HB370

Further providing for definitions; providing for domestic abuse reporting by health care practitioners; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB2588

In protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief.

PA HB2621

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for duties of department and agencies; and providing for registration of abuse and neglect perpetrators.

PA HB1059

In child protective services, further providing for definitions.

PA HB2622

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for confidentiality of records; and providing for abuse and neglect registry.

PA HB1125

In child protective services, further providing for definitions; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.