The bill amends Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically focusing on the procedures for arrest and contempt related to protection from abuse orders. It introduces new requirements for police officers or sheriffs to forward notice of an arrest for indirect criminal contempt to the National Crime Information Center and the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network within 24 hours of delivering the defendant to the appropriate judicial authority. Additionally, it clarifies that judges of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court will be considered magisterial district judges for the purposes of these procedures.

Furthermore, the bill establishes stricter penalties for subsequent convictions of contempt under this chapter. It specifies that a second conviction will incur a minimum fine of $300 and possible supervised probation or imprisonment for up to six months, while a third conviction will result in a minimum fine of $500 and up to one year of supervised probation or imprisonment. A fourth or subsequent conviction will carry a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum of two years of supervised probation or imprisonment. The bill also modifies the right to a jury trial for indirect criminal contempt charges, stating that defendants charged with subsequent violations will not have this right unless specified.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2386 (Sep 30, 2025): 23-6113(c)