An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, providing for waiver of fee for corrected or duplicate State documents.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amanda Cappelletti and 14 co-sponsors

The bill waives fees for corrected or duplicate state documents tied to protection from abuse cases, easing access to necessary PFA paperwork.

Referred to Judiciary

Summary of SB 1331 (Session 2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

SB 1331 amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes in the area of protection from abuse.

The primary aim, as indicated by the title, is to provide for a waiver of fee for corrected or duplicate State documents related to protection from abuse matters. This suggests improving access to important state-issued documents by eliminating or reducing fees when corrected or duplicate copies are needed.

Key provisions and changes

Adds a provision to authorize or require a waiver of fees for corrected or duplicate State documents connected to protection from abuse proceedings or records.

The exact scope (which documents are covered, when waivers apply, and any limitations) is not detailed in the available information, but the focus is on documents issued under protection-from-abuse processes.

The bill operates within the existing framework of Title 23, so it would integrate with current protections, filings, notices, and procedures governing domestic violence and protective orders in Pennsylvania.

Who is affected

Individuals involved in protection from abuse (PFA) proceedings who may need corrected or duplicate state documents (for example, protective orders, certified copies of orders, or related court or state-issued paperwork).

Potentially families and households navigating PFA processes, including petitioners, respondents, and their counsel, who require validated documents for enforcement, relocation, employment, housing, or other legal matters.

State agencies and clerks who issue, correct, or duplicate PFA-related documents would implement and administer the fee waiver, consistent with the bill’s requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to Judiciary as of May 20, 2026.

As a bill in the Judiciary committee, standard workflow would involve committee review, potential amendments, floor consideration, and, if passed, treatment on the Senate floor and ultimately House and Governor actions (not specified in the provided information).

There is no explicit effective date or sunset provision provided in the summary available; such details would typically be determined during the legislative process and included in the final enacted text.

Potential impact and considerations

Access to justice: By waiving fees for corrected or duplicate documents, the bill aims to reduce financial barriers for individuals needing official PFA-related documents, potentially facilitating timely enforcement and compliance.

Administrative considerations: State and county offices that issue PFA documents would need to implement the waiver mechanism, ensure eligibility verification, and maintain appropriate records of waived fees.

Financial impact: Depending on the scope (which documents qualify and how often waivers are granted), the waiver could affect state and local revenue from copy/certificate fees. The bill would likely specify funding or savings mechanisms if needed.

Notable cross-reference

The bill is sponsored by a broad slate of lawmakers from both parties, indicating bipartisan interest in protecting victims of abuse and simplifying access to necessary documentation.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include anticipated fiscal implications or compare with existing Pennsylvania statutes on fee waivers for state documents.