Committee advances domestic-violence fatality review program amid confidentiality concerns

House Bill 2018, a measure to establish a statewide domestic-violence fatality review program within the Attorney General’s office, was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee on a 14–12 vote after members debated confidentiality and board composition.

Sponsor Representative Hanbridge said Pennsylvania lacks a mandatory statewide review process and that the bill would create a multidisciplinary board to investigate domestic-violence-related fatalities, identify systemic gaps and recommend improvements. She and supporters argued that mandated data collection and coordinated review are prevention tools used successfully in other states.

Chairman Kauffman expressed strong reservations, saying the bill as drafted grants review teams “extraordinary access” to highly sensitive records — medical and psychological records, child-services files, witness statements and investigative material — without a requirement that victims’ families consent. He questioned what the bill means by a case being “closed” and warned that review teams could obtain records that even civil litigants cannot access. He also said the statutory board composition favored advocacy organizations over law-enforcement practitioners.

Supporters noted existing confidentiality protections in the bill’s language and signaled willingness to tighten language through stakeholder meetings; the chair indicated the sponsor and stakeholders would continue discussions while moving the bill forward. The committee voted to report HB 2018 to the House by roll call, 14–12.

Provenance: Counsel described the bill and effective date; Chairman Kauffman’s concerns about record access and board composition were voiced at length and the bill was then moved forward on a party-line committee vote.