HB 1210 was signed into law on November 18, 2024, becoming Act 146 of 2024. The Act amends 23 Pa. C.S.A. § 6108 to give judges in PFA actions the authority to grant temporary ownership rights to a pet (referred to as a “companion animal” in the bill). It also allows judges to direct a defendant to refrain from possessing, contacting, attempting to contact, transferring, or relocating the animal, as well as from contacting or entering the property of any person sheltering the animal.

The Act goes into effect on Friday, January 17, 2025.

The text of the Act will be available soon at the following link: Act 146 of 2024. A copy of the bill is also accessible at the same link.