Latest news with #ProtectionfromAbuse
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sen. Baker's legislation to strengthen PFA orders approved by Senate
Jun. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Tuesday said law enforcement officers put themselves on the line every time they serve a PFA. "It's only right that the agencies performing this vital work receive the support and reimbursement they deserve," said Sen. Baker, R-Lehman Township. "This bill ensures that fairness is built into the process." The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Baker to improve the enforcement of Protection from Abuse (PFA) petitions and orders and ensure law enforcement agencies are properly reimbursed. Sen. Baker said Senate Bill 302 corrects a longstanding imbalance in the law that directs a portion of PFA-related court fees exclusively to county sheriffs — even in cases where local police departments or state troopers carry out the service of the paperwork. Sen. Baker said the legislation stems from concerns raised by Dallas Township Police Chief Doug Higgins and an audit conducted by Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith, which highlighted that municipal departments were absorbing the cost of serving PFA orders without compensation. The bill also clarifies that only sheriffs or trained law enforcement officers — not private individuals — should be authorized to serve PFAs, addressing a critical safety concern and reinforcing professional standards in enforcement. Sen. Baker said the bill outlines the reimbursement process — while the $25 service fee will continue to be collected through the existing surcharge, sheriffs will be required to transfer the fee to the agency completing the service. "We are working to make sure no victim faces unnecessary delays or uncertainty when seeking protection," Sen. Baker said. "This reform is about accountability, safety and making sure the system functions the way it was intended." Senate Bill 302 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Baker's bill to improve PFA order enforcement approved by Judiciary Committee
May 15—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Thursday said legislation she has sponsored would bring fairness and clarity to a system that is disadvantaging local law enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which Sen. Baker serves as chair, this week approved legislation to strengthen the enforcement of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and ensure fair reimbursement for law enforcement agencies that serve these critical court orders. "Departments performing this important and sometimes dangerous work should be compensated for their efforts, just as sheriffs are," Sen. Baker said. Senate Bill 302 addresses a flaw in existing law that prevents local police departments from being reimbursed when they serve PFA petitions and orders on defendants, despite being authorized to do so. Currently, the $25 service fee included in the $100 surcharge on PFA defendants is directed solely to sheriffs, regardless of who performs the service. The need for reform was brought to Sen. Baker's attention by Dallas Township Police Chief Doug Higgins — following an audit by Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith — that revealed local law enforcement agencies were effectively donating their time and resources to serve PFAs without reimbursement. "Police departments are stretched thin and as PFAs increase in the county, it becomes cumbersome to get them served," Chief Higgins said. "In the past, departments would only serve PFAs after regular court hours, and on weekends and holidays, but we are now serving them around the clock. With this new legislation, we will be able to regain some of the cost to local municipalities and the Pennsylvania State Police." In addition to ensuring equitable distribution of the service fee, Sen. Baker said the legislation also clarifies that only sheriffs or properly trained law enforcement officers may serve PFA petitions and orders — eliminating any confusion in current law that could allow private citizens to perform this hazardous duty. "This is a commonsense step," said Controller Griffith. "All law enforcement agencies are dealing with funding and staffing issues. This legislation will help ensure they are compensated for the duties they are performing on behalf of the courts." Sen. Baker said an amendment to the bill clarifies the reimbursement process: the $25 fee will initially be distributed to the sheriff, who must then forward it to another agency if that agency performed the service. "Victims of abuse rely on swift and safe enforcement of PFA orders," Baker said. "This legislation helps ensure that responsibility falls to those best trained and equipped to handle it." Senate Bill 302 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Baker's bill to improve PFA order enforcement approved by Judiciary Committee
May 15—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Thursday said legislation she has sponsored would bring fairness and clarity to a system that is disadvantaging local law enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which Sen. Baker serves as chair, this week approved legislation to strengthen the enforcement of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and ensure fair reimbursement for law enforcement agencies that serve these critical court orders. "Departments performing this important and sometimes dangerous work should be compensated for their efforts, just as sheriffs are," Sen. Baker said. Senate Bill 302 addresses a flaw in existing law that prevents local police departments from being reimbursed when they serve PFA petitions and orders on defendants, despite being authorized to do so. Currently, the $25 service fee included in the $100 surcharge on PFA defendants is directed solely to sheriffs, regardless of who performs the service. The need for reform was brought to Sen. Baker's attention by Dallas Township Police Chief Doug Higgins — following an audit by Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith — that revealed local law enforcement agencies were effectively donating their time and resources to serve PFAs without reimbursement. "Police departments are stretched thin and as PFAs increase in the county, it becomes cumbersome to get them served," Chief Higgins said. "In the past, departments would only serve PFAs after regular court hours, and on weekends and holidays, but we are now serving them around the clock. With this new legislation, we will be able to regain some of the cost to local municipalities and the Pennsylvania State Police." In addition to ensuring equitable distribution of the service fee, Sen. Baker said the legislation also clarifies that only sheriffs or properly trained law enforcement officers may serve PFA petitions and orders — eliminating any confusion in current law that could allow private citizens to perform this hazardous duty. "This is a commonsense step," said Controller Griffith. "All law enforcement agencies are dealing with funding and staffing issues. This legislation will help ensure they are compensated for the duties they are performing on behalf of the courts." Sen. Baker said an amendment to the bill clarifies the reimbursement process: the $25 fee will initially be distributed to the sheriff, who must then forward it to another agency if that agency performed the service. "Victims of abuse rely on swift and safe enforcement of PFA orders," Baker said. "This legislation helps ensure that responsibility falls to those best trained and equipped to handle it." Senate Bill 302 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
