Senate Resolution 43 of 1993 (Printer’s No. 1673) directed the Joint State
Government Commission to undertake an ongoing study of domestic relations law.
To Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf serves as the Chair of the Task Force on The official comments may This report also contains a
summary of the recommendations
date provisions).
5 and transitional language (applicability and effective
Finally, this report contains a copy of a Memorial Resolution for Frederick
Cohen,
adopted by the Advisory Committee at its September 26, 2007 meeting.
a charter member of the Advisory Committee. The Memorial Resolution was
accomplish this purpose, the resolution created a legislative task force comprised of the
Majority and Minority Chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Aging and
Youth Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and the House Aging and Youth
Committee.
Domestic Relations Law.
The resolution also created an advisory committee to assist the Task Force in the
coordinated review of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (23 Pa.C.S.),
known as the Domestic Relations Code. The Advisory Committee consists of attorneys,
judges and a law school professor from across the Commonwealth who provide expertise
and advice in formulating legislation. Judge Emanuel A. Bertin of Montgomery County
serves as the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law.
After reaching consensus on proposed statutory language, the Advisory
Committee presents its legislative recommendations to the Task Force, which decides
whether to authorize the Joint State Government Commission to publish a report
containing the recommendations. The published recommendations then serve as a basis
for legislation.
On December 10, 2007, the Task Force authorized both the publication of a report
containing the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and the introduction of
legislation contained in this report. However, such authorization does not necessarily
reflect the endorsement of the recommendations by the Task Force.
In addition to the proposed legislation recommended by the Advisory Committee,
this report contains official comments regarding the alimony provisions, along with notes
explaining the origin of the proposed statutory provisions.
be used in determining the intent of the General Assembly.