House passes Davidson, Kinkead bill to strengthen Protection from Abuse Orders

Legislation increasing accountability for PFA violations advances to Senate

Rep. Nate Davidson, Rep. Emily Kinkead February 5, 2026 | 1:54 PM

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Reps. Nate Davidson and Emily Kinkead announced their bill to protect survivors of domestic violence by strengthening enforcement of Protection from Abuse orders passed the House 104-94 with bipartisan support Monday.

House Bill 1909 increases penalties for certain crimes committed while a PFA is in effect, addressing common violations such as harassment and stalking, and giving courts greater tools to hold repeat offenders accountable.

“We have waited far too long to address the injustice of repeat PFA violators and it is clear that this blatant injustice cannot continue to stand,” said Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin. “With this legislation, we can hold accountable those who continue to disrespect our laws and prey upon the people they have hurt.”

“A PFA is supposed to be a shield, but, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2005, our current laws do not guarantee enforcement of these orders for victims of abuse,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “That reality places the responsibility to protect survivors squarely on state legislatures. This bill does that in a straightforward, commonsense way by recognizing that committing a crime while violating a PFA demands greater accountability.”

Kinkead, who typically opposes expanding the Criminal Code, said the bill is necessary and responds to real world consequences of weak enforcement, including risks faced by both survivors and first responders.

“Many abusers treat PFA violations as the cost of doing business to continue terrorizing their victims, and allowing that ideology to fester continues to cost lives,” Kinkead said.

“Despite what some may say in opposition to this bill, it does not create new crimes or target law-abiding gun owners. It simply ensures that when someone ignores a court order and commits a crime against the person they are barred from harming, the law reflects the gravity of that choice. Survivors deserve to know the system will protect them, and this bill would bring us closer to that promise.”

House Bill 1909 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Photos from a news conference promoting the bill are available here.