An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to divorce, further providing for legislative findings and intent, for definitions, for bases of jurisdiction, for effect of agreement between parties and for premarital agreements; in dissolution of marital status, further providing for grounds for divorce, repealing provisions relating to counseling, further providing for grounds for annulment of voidable marriages, repealing provisions relating to defenses, to action where defendant suffering from mental disorder and to general appearance and collusion, further providing for hearing by master, providing for general order of divorce proceedings, repealing provisions relating to jury trial, further providing for decree of court and repealing provisions relating to opening or vacating decrees; in property rights, further providing for definitions and for disposition of property to defeat obligations; in alimony and support, further providing for alimony and repealing provisions relating to bar to alimony; and repealing provisions relating to mediation.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's divorce laws to create a more efficient legal process while prioritizing the welfare of families and children. It removes requirements for mandatory counseling and jury trials, expands the definition of what counts as living separately, and clarifies how courts should handle property division and financial support based on actual need and ability to pay. The legislation also repeals old rules regarding defenses like collusion and mental disorder, streamlining how courts issue final divorce decrees.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 20, 2024
Last action May 20, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 20, 2024
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kristine Howard
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Danielle Otten
DDemocratic
Co
Jamie Flick
RRepublican
Co
Jeanne McNeill
DDemocratic
Co
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
DDemocratic
Co
Liz Hanbidge
DDemocratic
Co
Mary Isaacson
DDemocratic
Co
Melissa Shusterman
DDemocratic
Co
Milou Mackenzie
RRepublican
Co
Roni Green
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 2303
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 2303. 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