The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker aimed at improving the enforcement of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 302, seeks to address an issue in the current law that prevents local police departments from receiving reimbursement when they serve PFA petitions and orders on defendants.
Currently, a $25 service fee included in the $100 surcharge on PFA defendants is directed only to sheriffs, regardless of who performs the service. “This bill brings fairness and clarity to a system that is currently disadvantaging local law enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police,” said Baker. “Departments performing this important and sometimes dangerous work should be compensated for their efforts, just as sheriffs are.”
The need for this reform was highlighted by Dallas Township Police Chief Doug Higgins after an audit by Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith revealed that local law enforcement agencies were effectively donating their time and resources without reimbursement. Chief Higgins stated, “Police departments are stretched thin and as PFAs increase in the county, it becomes cumbersome to get them served.”
In addition to ensuring fair distribution of the service fee, the legislation clarifies that only sheriffs or properly trained law enforcement officers may serve PFA petitions and orders. This aims to eliminate any confusion in current law that might allow private citizens to perform this duty.
“This is a commonsense step,” said Controller Griffith. “All law enforcement agencies are dealing with funding and staffing issues. This legislation will help ensure they are compensated for the duties they are performing on behalf of the courts.”
An amendment specifies that while the $25 fee will initially go to the sheriff, it must be forwarded to another agency if that agency performed the service. “Victims of abuse rely on swift and safe enforcement of PFA orders,” Baker noted. “This legislation helps ensure that responsibility falls to those best trained and equipped to handle it.”
Senate Bill 302 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
