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PRINTER'S NO. 2577
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2018
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, SHUSTERMAN, PROBST, T. DAVIS, WAXMAN,
HILL-EVANS, FREEMAN, CONKLIN, KHAN, BOROWSKI, SANCHEZ,
HOHENSTEIN, HOWARD, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, INGLIS, D. WILLIAMS,
FRANKEL AND BRIGGS, NOVEMBER 6, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic
Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further
providing for the disclosure of certain criminal history
record information and certain information related to abuse
to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and to any
domestic violence fatality review team; and establishing the
Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 9104(d) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 9104. Scope.
* * *
(d) Certain disclosures authorized.--
(1) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a criminal
justice agency from disclosing an individual's prior criminal
activity to an individual or agency if the information
disclosed is based on records set forth in subsection (a).
(2) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a criminal
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justice agency from disclosing criminal history record
information and intelligence information, investigative
information, treatment information, including medical and
psychological information, caution indicator information,
modus operandi information, missing persons information,
employment history information, personal history information
or presentence investigative information to members of a
Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board established under 23
Pa.C.S. Ch. 68 (relating to Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Program) and authorized under that chapter to investigate and
analyze domestic violence-related fatalities.
* * *
Section 2. Section 9121(b.1) of Title 18 is amended to read:
§ 9121. General regulations.
* * *
(b.1) Exception.--Subsection (b)(1) and (2) shall not apply
[if]:
(1) If the request is made by a county children and
youth agency or the Department of Human Services in the
performance of duties relating to children and youth under
the act of June 24, 1937 (P.L.2017, No.396), known as the
County Institution District Law, [section 2168 of the act of
August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code,]
16 Pa.C.S. § 15768 (relating to powers and duties of county
commissioners relating to children), the act of June 13, 1967
(P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, 23 Pa.C.S.
Ch. 63 (relating to child protective services) or 42 Pa.C.S.
Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters).
(2) If the request is made by a domestic violence
fatality review team or the Domestic Violence Fatality Review
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Board established under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 68 (relating to
Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program) and authorized
under that chapter to investigate and analyze domestic
violence-related fatalities.
* * *
Section 3. Section 6340(a) of Title 23 is amended by adding
a paragraph to read:
§ 6340. Release of information in confidential reports.
(a) General rule.--Reports specified in section 6339
(relating to confidentiality of reports) shall only be made
available to:
* * *
(10.1) Members of a domestic violence fatality review
team and members of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Board established under Chapter 68 (relating to Domestic
Violence Fatality Review Program) and authorized under that
chapter to investigate and analyze domestic violence-related
fatalities.
* * *
Section 4. Title 23 is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 68
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FATALITY REVIEW PROGRAM
Sec.
6801. Scope of chapter.
6802. Definitions.
6803. Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program.
6804. Domestic violence fatality review teams.
6805. Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
6806. Access to records.
6807. Confidentiality.
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6808. Penalties.
§ 6801. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to domestic violence fatality review.
§ 6802. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board" or "board." A
multidisciplinary, Statewide panel that advises domestic
violence fatality review teams and recommends Statewide
improvements in domestic violence investigation, intervention
and prevention efforts.
"Domestic violence fatality review team" or "review team." A
multidisciplinary team that reviews domestic violence-related
fatalities in a local jurisdiction.
"Domestic violence-related fatality." A death resulting from
or relating to an act of abuse as defined in section 6102
(relating to definitions), including the fatality of a victim,
perpetrator, family member, partner or bystander.
§ 6803. Domestic Violence Fatality Review Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Office of Attorney General shall
establish a program to be known as the Domestic Violence
Fatality Review Program and a Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Board, consisting of domestic violence fatality review teams
with the purpose of investigating domestic violence-related
fatalities and identifying gaps in systemic responses to
domestic violence, as well as recommending improvements in
domestic violence investigations, interventions and prevention
efforts throughout this Commonwealth.
(b) Administration.--The Office of Attorney General shall
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coordinate the activities of the board and shall be responsible
for the provision of standard protocols, training and technical
assistance to review teams.
(c) Case selection.--A review team and the board may only
review domestic violence-related fatalities in which:
(1) no criminal charges have been filed against a
perpetrator associated with a domestic violence-related
fatality and the chief law enforcement officer of the
jurisdiction indicates that no criminal charges will be
filed; or
(2) all criminal legal proceedings associated with a
domestic violence-related fatality have been closed.
§ 6804. Domestic violence fatality review teams.
(a) Duties.--A domestic violence fatality review team shall:
(1) Gather information regarding the events leading to
and facts surrounding incidences of domestic violence-related
fatalities.
(2) Analyze information gathered regarding domestic
violence-related fatalities.
(3) Identify trends, patterns and risk factors resulting
from domestic violence-related fatality investigations.
(4) Examine and assess service delivery related to
domestic violence.
(5) Provide aggregated fatality review reports to the
board pursuant to section 6805 (relating to Domestic Violence
Fatality Review Board).
(b) Protocols.--A review team shall establish a protocol for
the investigation of domestic violence-related fatalities in
consultation with the board.
(c) Location.--A review team may be established in any
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jurisdiction or combination of jurisdictions.
(d) Membership.--Membership of a review team may include
court personnel, law enforcement, medical professionals, victim
advocates and any other individual or entity that the review
team deems appropriate for the conduct of the review.
(e) Additional duties.--In furtherance of the purposes of
this section, a review team may recommend any of the following:
(1) Changes in legislation, regulations, policies,
budgets, treatment and service standards that may facilitate
the reduction of domestic violence-related fatalities.
(2) Prevention and intervention strategies.
(3) Public awareness strategies.
(4) Strategies for enhanced interagency coordination.
§ 6805. Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
(a) Powers and duties.--The Domestic Violence Fatality
Review Board shall:
(1) Advise and consult with review teams.
(2) Provide education and technical assistance to review
teams.
(3) Develop minimum data collection guidelines for
review teams.
(4) Receive summary fatality review reports from review
teams.
(5) Analyze data from the reports of review teams to
identify Statewide trends and patterns associated with
domestic violence-related fatalities.
(6) Recommend changes to domestic violence prevention,
intervention and investigation efforts and monitor the
implementation of these recommendations.
(7) Prepare an annual report of findings,
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recommendations and steps taken to implement recommendations
subject to the following requirements:
(i) The annual report may not contain information
identifying any victim or alleged perpetrator of domestic
violence or their family members.
(ii) The annual report shall be submitted to the
public and the Governor on September 1 of each year and
shall be presented at a joint meeting of the Judiciary
Committee of the Senate and the Judiciary Committee of
the House of Representatives at a public hearing.
(b) Membership.--At a minimum, the board shall be composed
of a designee from:
(1) The Office of Attorney General.
(2) The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic
Violence.
(3) Two local domestic violence programs as defined in
section 2333(e) of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177,
No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, to be
chosen by a majority vote of the board from a list of at
least six programs provided by the Pennsylvania Coalition
Against Domestic Violence.
(4) The Office of Physician General.
(5) The Office of Victim Advocate.
(6) The Pennsylvania Parole Board.
(7) The Pennsylvania State Police.
(8) The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
(9) Three community members impacted by domestic
violence or a domestic violence-related fatality to be chosen
by a majority vote of the board from a list of at least nine
community members provided by the Pennsylvania Coalition
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Against Domestic Violence.
(10) The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency.
(11) An eligible legal services provider as defined in
42 Pa.C.S. § 4903 (relating to definitions).
(12) The State association of sheriffs authorized by the
act of June 14, 1923 (P.L.774, No.305), entitled "An act
authorizing the sheriffs of the several counties of this
Commonwealth to organize themselves into a State Association,
for the purpose of holding annual meetings, to secure more
uniformity and cooperation in the conduct of their offices,
and providing for the payment of certain expenses in
connection with such meetings by the various counties."
(13) A rape crisis center, as defined in section 2333(e)
of The Administrative Code of 1929, to be selected by a
majority vote of the board.
(14) The State association for district attorneys as
provided in 16 Pa.C.S. § 12340 (relating to State
associations) to be selected by a majority vote of the board.
(15) Two members of the Senate appointed by the
President pro tempore, one from the majority party and one
from the minority party.
(16) Two members of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker, one from the majority party and one
from the minority party.
(17) Any other person that the board by a majority vote
deems appropriate.
(c) Initial board organization.--The initial organization of
the board shall consist of the designees under subsection (b)
(1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), (15) and
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(16). After these members are organized into the board, the
board shall act to name designees to the board under subsection
(b)(2), (3), (9), (13), (14) and (17). Thereafter the board
shall conduct its normal business.
§ 6806. Access to records.
(a) Power.--A review team and the board have the power to
access and review the following records to the extent permitted
by law or court rule:
(1) Guardian ad litem reports, parenting evaluations and
victim impact statements.
(2) Media accounts.
(3) Protection from abuse documents, transcripts,
violations and other materials as produced by the courts and
law enforcement officials.
(4) Criminal history record information.
(5) Law enforcement incident documentation from closed
cases, such as incident reports, dispatch records, victim,
witness and suspect reports.
(6) Medical examiners' and coroners' reports.
(7) Records of court proceedings.
(8) Documents, reports and evaluations prepared in
conjunction with court proceedings pursuant to general or
local court rules.
(9) Probation and parole information.
(10) Reports to animal control.
(11) Presentence interviews and reports, and any
recommendations made regarding bail and release on own
recognizance.
(12) Investigative reports from the Office of Children,
Youth and Families.
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(13) Statements from witnesses, friends, family and
employers of the victim and perpetrator.
(14) Any other information determined to be relevant to
the review that will not jeopardize an ongoing investigation
or prosecution.
(b) Court order.--In the event that the custodian of a
record described under subsection (a) refuses a request by a
review team or the board for access to the record, the court
shall issue an order directing the custodian of the records to
comply with the request.
(c) Confidentiality of information.--A review team and the
board shall maintain the confidentiality of information
contained in record assessment under this section to the extent
required by any applicable law.
(d) Immunity.--An entity, individual or institution that in
good faith provides information or records to a review team or
the board is immune from civil or criminal liability that might
otherwise be imposed as a result of providing the information or
record.
§ 6807. Confidentiality.
(a) Signed confidentiality agreement.--Each member of a
review team and the board and any individual appearing before
them shall be required to sign a confidentiality agreement
created by the board in order to maintain the confidentiality of
the proceedings.
(b) Confidentiality of proceedings, deliberations and
opinions.--
(1) The proceedings, deliberations and opinions of a
review team and the board and their members are privileged
and confidential, except as otherwise provided by this
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chapter.
(2) Information known to or opinions held by members of
a review team or the board and any individual who presents
information to a review team or the board is not subject to
discovery, subpoena or introduction into evidence in any
civil or criminal action, except as otherwise provided in
this chapter.
(c) Confidentiality of records.--
(1) The records of a review team and the board are
privileged and confidential, except as otherwise provided by
this chapter. Records of a review team and the board are not
subject to discovery, subpoena or introduction into evidence
in any civil or criminal action, except as otherwise provided
in this chapter.
(2) All records brought to a review team by a person or
agency remain the property of that person or agency and shall
be maintained by the person or agency to which the records
belong.
(3) All records produced by a review team are the
property of that review team. The records, including the
names of victims, alleged perpetrators and family members, as
well as documents relating to the proceedings, opinions and
deliberations of a review team, shall remain confidential and
are not subject to inspection and duplication under the
Right-to-Know Law.
(4) All records produced by the board are the property
of the board. The records, including the names of victims,
alleged perpetrators and family members, as well as documents
relating to the proceedings, opinions and deliberations of
the board shall remain confidential and are not subject to
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inspection and duplication under the Right-to-Know Law.
(5) Release of aggregated statistics, scenarios, annual
reports, recommendations and other nonidentifying information
by a review team or the board does not conflict with the duty
of confidentiality under this section.
(d) Discovery.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
to restrict or limit the right to discover or use in a civil or
criminal action any evidence that is discoverable independent of
the proceedings of a review team or the board.
(e) Immunity of members.--
(1) The board and its members and any review team and
its members acting within the scope of the program are immune
from all civil liability resulting from an act or omission
arising out of and in the course of the board's or the review
team's performance of that activity, unless the act or
omission was the result of gross negligence, recklessness or
intentional misconduct.
(2) This subsection shall not be construed to limit any
other immunity provided by statute or common law.
§ 6808. Penalties.
A person who discloses, makes use of or knowingly permits the
use of information concerning a victim or other persons in
violation of this chapter commits a summary offense.
Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026, or
immediately, whichever is later.
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