Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes animals to be included in protection from abuse orders in Pennsylvania.

Highlights:

• Amends previous terminology in protection from abuse orders to include companion animals (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the defendant identified in a protection from abuse order from possessing, contacting, attempting to contact, transferring or relocating the companion animal, or contacting or entering the property of any individual sheltering the companion animal (Sec. 1).

• Defines “companion animal” to mean an animal not used in commercial agriculture or production and is owned, kept, leased, possessed, or held by the petitioner or respondent or a minor child of either (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 60 days following passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes animals to be included in protection from abuse orders in Pennsylvania.

Highlights:

• Amends previous terminology in protection from abuse orders to include companion animals (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the defendant identified in a protection from abuse order from possessing, contacting, attempting to contact, transferring or relocating the companion animal, or contacting or entering the property of any individual sheltering the companion animal (Sec. 1).

• Defines “companion animal” to mean an animal not used in commercial agriculture or production and is owned, kept, leased, possessed, or held by the petitioner or respondent or a minor child of either (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 60 days following passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text