An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in support matters generally, further providing for assistance recipients to seek support, for cooperation required and for enforcement of cooperation requirements.
This bill amends Pennsylvania laws to require parents receiving state assistance to actively cooperate in establishing paternity and securing child support for their children. It mandates that applicants must appear before a court to address potential fathers before receiving aid, with exceptions only if alternative methods are equally efficient. The legislation also establishes that providing names of two putative fathers who are later excluded by genetic testing will create a presumption of noncooperation, which can only be overturned with strong evidence. Finally, the bill outlines specific penalties for failing to cooperate, including the termination of medical benefits and a reduction of cash assistance by at least 25%.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Jul 2024
House Passage
Jul 2024
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 31, 2024
Last action Jul 17, 2024
Floor votes · House Jul 2, 2024
How they voted
178–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 180
Jul 2, 2024
D
Democratic89
100% Yea
R
Republican91
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Jul 17, 2024
Committee
Referred to Aging & Youth
upper
Jul 3, 2024
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Jul 3, 2024
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Jul 2, 2024
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (178-0-2)
house
Jul 2, 2024
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Jul 2, 2024
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Jun 24, 2024
Committee
Re-committed to Rules
lower
Jun 24, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Jan 31, 2024
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Darisha Parker
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Kazeem
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Pielli
DDemocratic
Co
Danielle Otten
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Madsen
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Webster
DDemocratic
Co
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
DDemocratic
Co
Justin Fleming
DDemocratic
Co
La'Tasha Mayes
DDemocratic
Co
Liz Hanbidge
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1962
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1962. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline