HB 2303 Pennsylvania House · 2023-2024 Regular Session

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
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Total actions
1
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Committee
1
May 20, 2024
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors

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