A. A
proceeding for emergency relief
(1) from
abuse, or
(2) in connection with
claims of sexual violence or intimidation
shall be commenced by the filing of a petition by the
plaintiff with the hearing officer on a form that shall be prescribed by the
State Court Administrator. The petition shall be signed by the plaintiff and
shall set forth the names and addresses of the plaintiff and the defendant and
the names, addresses and ages of any person on whose behalf the plaintiff is
seeking relief. The plaintiff shall also allege in the petition, in general
terms, the cause for seeking emergency relief.
B. Upon issuance of an emergency order, the
hearing officer shall provide the plaintiff with instructions regarding the
commencement of proceedings in the court of common pleas and regarding the
procedures for initiating a contempt charge should the defendant violate the
emergency order. The hearing officer shall also advise the plaintiff of the
existence of rape crisis centers in the county or in nearby counties in the
case of sexual violence, as well as programs for victims of domestic or sexual
violence in the county or in nearby counties and inform the plaintiff of the
availability of legal assistance without cost if the plaintiff is unable to pay
therefor.
C. The petition shall be
filed and service shall be made without prepayment of costs.
Notes
The provisions
of this Rule 1206 amended March 27, 1992, effective immediately, 22 Pa.B. 1900;
amended November 2, 2001, effective 2/1/2002, 31 Pa.B. 6385; amended June 29, 2015,
effective 7/1/2015, 45 Pa.B.
3811; amended October 28, 2016, effective 12/31/2016, 46 Pa.B. 7165; amended June 1,
2018, effective 7/1/2018, 48
Pa.B. 3581.
