Representatives Jason Ortitay and Lindsay Powell announced on Apr. 7 a new legislative package aimed at increasing protections for domestic violence victims in Pennsylvania. The announcement was made during a press conference in South Fayette Township.
The proposed legislation follows a 2022 incident in which Courtney Kotar survived an attempted murder by her estranged husband, who later pleaded guilty to several charges but was still awarded part of her pension and marital assets. The case highlighted what the lawmakers described as gaps in current laws that can leave survivors vulnerable both physically and financially.
“When Courtney recounted the horrors she has been experiencing, the need for stronger statutory tools could not have been clearer,” Ortitay said. “By combining preventative monitoring tools with meaningful financial accountability and victim financial assistance, this legislative package seeks to close dangerous gaps in current law and send an unmistakable message that Pennsylvania’s legal system will not empower domestic abusers. Being required to financially support your abuser is not only a miscarriage of justice, it is a continuation of the abuse itself, forcing victims to remain economically and emotionally attached to the person who terrorized them.”
Powell said, “No one should be forced to remain tethered to their abuser through gaps in our legal system, whether physically, emotionally or financially. This bipartisan package with Rep. Ortitay strengthens protections for survivors by enabling real-time monitoring of abusers and ensuring that those who commit acts of domestic violence cannot profit from that harm in divorce proceedings. Pennsylvania must send a clear message that we are prioritizing victim safety, closing dangerous loopholes and holding abusers fully accountable under the law.”
The legislative package includes House Bill 2343 allowing courts to order GPS monitoring devices for offenders; House Bill 2346 prohibiting courts from awarding alimony or marital assets to convicted abusers; House Bill 2344 providing relief from coerced debt; and House Bill 2345 establishing grants for home security upgrades for victims leaving abusive relationships.
Lawmakers say these measures are intended to prevent repeat offenses while also offering financial protection so survivors can rebuild their lives without ongoing ties or obligations imposed by their former abusers.
