House Dems launch bills to strengthen Protection from Abuse Orders
Lawmakers call to protect survivors, increase accountability for repeat PFA violations
Rep. Nate Davidson, Rep. Emily Kinkead, Rep. Justin Fleming October 1, 2025 | 1:16 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Reps. Nate Davidson, Emily Kinkead and Justin Fleming announced two bills today designed to hold repeat Protection from Abuse Order violators accountable and give courts better tools to protect survivors of domestic violence.
House Bill 1908 would create a grading scale to ensure penalties increase for repeat PFA violations and require law enforcement to enter those arrests into state and national databases within 24 hours of the arrest.
House Bill 1909 would raise the grading for crimes committed while under a PFA violation by one degree, up to a third-degree felony.
“Our aim is not to make new law or new punishment for violating the law, but rather to give our judges, prosecutors and first responders additional tools to apply the law more fairly and effectively,” said Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin, prime sponsor of both bills. “We are ensuring that the punishment is proportionate to the offense and, in particular, when there are cases of a repeated offense. In doing this, we are communicating directly to survivors that their safety matters, that their courage will be supported by their community, and that no one is above the law.”
“For too many domestic violence survivors, the threat does not end once they make the courageous decision to leave an abusive relationship,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “PFAs are only as strong as the enforcement behind them. When abusers violate these orders and face little or no consequences, the belief that the system will not protect survivors is reinforced. With these bills, we are sending a clear message: PFAs will be enforced, and those who defy them will be held accountable.”
“Too often, the fear of violence doesn’t end for survivors after they obtain a PFA,” said Fleming, D-Dauphin. “Abusers have continued to contact and harass victims with minimal consequences, despite these court orders. Our bills hold abusers accountable while providing stronger protections for survivors.”
The bills have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.