Title 23, DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Any parent whose child is found liable or is adjudged guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of a tortious act shall be liable to the person who suffers the injury to the extent set forth in this chapter.

(a) General rule.--In any criminal proceeding against a child and in any proceeding against a child under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters), the court shall ascertain the amount sufficient to fully reimburse any person who has suffered injury because of the tortiou…

(a) Petition.--If a judgment has been rendered against the child in a civil action for injury because of the tortious act of the child and the judgment has not been satisfied within a period of 30 days, the injured person may petition the court for a rule to show cause why judgme…

(a) General rule.--Liability of the parents under this chapter shall be limited to: (1) The sum of $1,000 for injuries suffered by any one person as a result of one tortious act or continuous series of tortious acts. (2) The sum of $2,500 regardless of the number of persons who s…

In no case shall there be a double recovery for one injury. Any judgment against a child resulting from a tortious act for which a parent makes payment under this chapter shall be reduced by the amount paid by the parent.

The parent shall have no right of indemnity or contribution against the child.

(a) General rule.--No liability may be imposed upon a parent under this chapter if, at the time of commission of the tortious act, the parent has neither custody of the child nor is entitled to custody of the child or if the child is institutionalized or emancipated. (b) Exceptio…

The liability imposed upon parents by this chapter shall not limit the common-law liability of parents for damages caused by a child and shall be separate and apart from any liability which may be imposed upon the child.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Standby Guardianship Act.

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: "Alternate." A person with all the rights, responsibilities and qualifications of a standby guardian who shall become a …

The provisions of Chapter 53 (relating to custody) and 20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 25 (relating to wills) shall apply to standby guardians, coguardians, guardians, temporary guardians and any alternates unless otherwise specified in this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to …

(a) General rule.--A custodial parent, a legal custodian or legal guardian may designate a standby guardian by means of a written designation unless the minor has another parent or adoptive parent: (1) whose parental rights have not been terminated or relinquished; (2) whose wher…

(a) General rule.--A petition for court approval of a designation under this chapter may be made at any time by filing with the court a copy of the designation. If the triggering event has not occurred on or before the time of filing, only the designator may file the petition. If…

(a) General rule.--The standby guardian shall have authority to act as coguardian or guardian upon the occurrence of the triggering event. The commencement of the standby guardian's authority to act as coguardian pursuant to a determination of incapacity, a determination of debil…

(a) Prepetition.--Prior to a petition being filed under section 5612 (relating to petition for approval of a designation), the designator may revoke a standby guardianship by simple destruction of the designation and notification of the revocation to the standby guardian. (b) Pos…

If a parent has appointed a testamentary guardian of the person or estate of a minor by will under 20 Pa.C.S. § 2519 (relating to testamentary guardian) and there is a conflict between that will and a duly executed written standby guardian designation, the document latest in date…

In no event shall a standby guardian be required to post bond prior to the occurrence of the triggering event. The court may require a bond if the standby guardian is designated the coguardian or guardian of the estate of a minor but will not require a bond for the coguardianship…

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a custodial parent may designate a temporary guardian by means of a written designation unless the minor has another parent or adoptive parent: (1) whose parental rights have not been terminated or relinquished; (2) whose w…

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a petition for court approval of a designation under this chapter may be made when an individual who is a custodial parent of a minor has entered a rehabilitation facility for treatment of a drug or alcohol addiction or has…

(a) Authority.-- (1) The temporary guardian shall have the authority to act as coguardian or guardian upon a custodial parent entering into an alcohol or drug treatment facility or upon a court ordering the designation pursuant to hearing under subsection 5622(b) (relating to pet…

(a) Initial period.--Temporary guardianship under this subchapter shall be limited to not more than 90 days from entry of the order of temporary guardianship. (b) Extension of guardianship.--Upon approval by the court or by written agreement of the temporary guardian and the pare…

(a) Conditions.--A court shall terminate a temporary guardianship if any of the following exists: (1) The custodial parent demonstrates the basis for the temporary guardianship no longer exists. (2) The custodial parent and temporary guardian agree upon termination. (3) The tempo…

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: "Child." An individual who is under 21 years of age and meets one of the following: (1) The county agency is conducting …

(a) Report of possible sex trafficking victims.--A county agency shall report to law enforcement as soon as practicable, but in no case later than 24 hours after receiving information about a child who: (1) the county agency has reasonable cause to suspect of being at risk of bei…

When law enforcement receives information from a county agency about a child who is missing from the child's residence or is abducted under section 5702(b) (relating to county responsibilities), law enforcement shall enter the information into the National Crime Information Cente…

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Protection from Abuse Act. Cross References. Section 6101 is referred to in section 8127 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

(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: "Abuse." The occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members, sex…

(a) General rule.--The court shall have jurisdiction over all proceedings under this chapter. (b) Effect of departure and nonresidence.--The right of the plaintiff to relief under this chapter shall not be affected by either of the following: (1) The plaintiff's leaving the resid…

(a) General rule.--A court shall recognize and enforce a valid foreign protection order issued by a comparable court. The validity of a foreign protection order shall only be determined by a court. (b) Affirmative defense.--Failure by a comparable court to provide reasonable noti…

(a) General rule.--The police department of each municipal corporation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the sheriff of each county shall insure that all their officers, deputies and employees are familiar with the provisions of this chapter. Instruction concerning protection fr…

(a) General rule.--An adult or an emancipated minor may seek relief under this chapter for that person or any parent, adult household member or guardian ad litem may seek relief under this chapter on behalf of minor children, or a guardian of the person of an adult who has been d…

(a) General rule.--Within ten business days of the filing of a petition under this chapter, a hearing shall be held before the court, at which the plaintiff must prove the allegation of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. The court shall, at the time the defendant is given …

(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: (1) Directing the defendant to refrain from abusin…

(a) General rule.--Any court order requiring the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition shall provide for the return of the relinquished firearms, other weapons or ammunition to the defendant upon expiration of the order or dismissal of a petition for a protectio…

(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a defendant who is the subject of a final protection from abuse order, which order provides for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect, may, within…

(a) General rule.--A defendant who is the subject of a protection from abuse order, which order provides for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect, may, within the time frame specified in the order and in lieu…

(a) Confidentiality.--Information retained to ensure compliance with this chapter and to document the return of firearms shall not be subject to access under the act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred to as the Right-to-Know Law. (b) Construction.--Nothing in this chapt…

Any person who violates section 6108(a)(7)(v) (relating to relief) by releasing information with the intent and purpose of committing such violation commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. (Nov. 10, 2005, P.L.335, No.66, eff. 180 days) 2005 Amendment. Act 66 added section 6108…

In addition to any other penalty provided by 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act), a commercial armory which violates the provisions of this chapter regarding safekeeping shall forfeit all Federal and State licenses related to firearms. (Oct. 12, 2018, P.…

(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an individual who has entered into a consent agreement approved by the court under section 6108(a) (relating to relief) may petition the court for an order to seal the record of the individual from public vie…

(a) Issuance.--A copy of an order under this chapter shall be issued to the plaintiff, the defendant and the police department with appropriate jurisdiction to enforce the order or agreement in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or as ordered by the court or hearing o…

(a) General rule.--When: (1) in counties with less than four judges, the court is unavailable: (i) from the close of business at the end of each day to the resumption of business the next morning; (ii) from the end of the business week to the beginning of the business week; and (…

A domestic violence counselor/advocate may accompany a party to any legal proceeding or hearing under this chapter. (Oct. 6, 1994, P.L.574, No.85, eff. 60 days)

During the course of a proceeding under this chapter, the court or hearing officer may consider whether the plaintiff or plaintiff's family is endangered by disclosure of the permanent or temporary address of the plaintiff or minor children. Neither in the pleadings nor during pr…

(a) General rule.--An arrest for violation of an order issued pursuant to this chapter or a foreign protection order may be without warrant upon probable cause whether or not the violation is committed in the presence of the police officer or sheriff in circumstances where the de…

(a) General rule.--A plaintiff may file a private criminal complaint against a defendant, alleging indirect criminal contempt for a noneconomic violation of any provision of an order or court-approved consent agreement issued under this chapter or a foreign protection order, with…