Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6116 (2026)

 Confidentiality.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 6116.  Confidentiality.

Unless a victim waives the privilege in a signed writing prior to testimony or disclosure, a domestic violence counselor/advocate or a coparticipant who is present during domestic violence counseling/advocacy shall not be competent nor permitted to testify or to otherwise disclose confidential communications made to or by the counselor/advocate by or to a victim. The privilege shall terminate upon the death of the victim. Neither the domestic violence counselor/advocate nor the victim shall waive the privilege of confidential communications by reporting facts of physical or sexual assault under Chapter 63 (relating to child protective services), a Federal or State mandatory reporting statute or a local mandatory reporting ordinance.

(Oct. 6, 1994, P.L.574, No.85, eff. 60 days)

 

Cross References.  Section 6116 is referred to in section 6102 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1998–2021 · leading case: V.B.T. v. Fam. Servs. of W. Pennsylvania, 705 A.2d 1325 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1998).
V.B.T. v. Fam. Servs. of W. Pennsylvania, 705 A.2d 1325 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1998). · cites it 2× “§§ 6101 — 6117 (“the PFAA”), which protect communications between victims of domestic violence and domestic violence counselor/advocates, 23 Pa. C.S. § 6116; the provisions of the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.”
People v. Turner, 109 P.3d 639 (Colo. 2005). “5036(l)(d) (West 2005) (protecting "confidential” communication relating to the incident of domestic violence for which the victim is seeking assistance and including "any record made in the course of advising, counseling, or assisting the victim”); Pennsylvania’s, 23 Pa.…”
Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp. v. Taylor, 746 A.2d 626 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2000). · cites it 2× “2d 953 (1999) (concluding that confidentiality provision of Protection from Abuse Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6116, created absolute privilege against all forms of disclosure); Commonwealth v.”
Jane Student 1 v. Williams, 206 F.R.D. 306 (S.D. Ala. 2002). “4510; 23 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 6116; 42 Pa. Cons.”
Com. v. Corliss, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “See 23 Pa.C.S. § 6116 (Protection from Abuse Act); 42 Pa.”
Hannis v. Sacred Heart Hosp., 52 Pa. D. & C.4th 153 (2000). “23Pa.C.S. §6116. .42Pa.C.S. §6307. .23 Pa.”
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