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.