Pennsylvania lawmakers advance bill to allow for electronic monitoring of alleged abusers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill that could require alleged domestic abusers to wear court-ordered ankle monitors if they are deemed a threat to the public.

House Bill 1150 , sponsored by State Reps. Anita Astorino Kulik (D-Allegheny) and Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), would require “an electronic monitoring device be placed on the defendant if the defendant is found to present a substantial risk of violating the final protection from abuse order or committing a crime against the victim punishable by imprisonment.”

The bill says the court would determine the distance at which a defendant would have to keep between victims who are seeking protection from abuse and specific locations from which the defendant shall refrain.

The bill is named “ Alina’s Law ” in memory of University of Pittsburgh student Alina Sheykhet. The sponsoring lawmakers say Sheykhet was killed in 2017 by an ex-boyfriend who had previously been served a protection from abuse order.

“Alina’s tragic death does not need to be repeated – survivors of abuse should not have to live in fear as they wait for a court date,” said the lawmakers last year. “Without this commonsense legislation, some survivors may never see their day in court.”

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The committee passed the bill on party lines 14-11 with all Democrats voting in favor and Republicans voting against the measure.

The bill still requires additional votes in the House and Senate.

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