Ortitay Bill to Protect Victims of Coerced Debt Passes Committee

June 17, 2026

HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee today advanced Rep. Jason Ortitay’s (R-Allegheny/Washington) legislation that would cancel coerced debt incurred as a result of a domestic violence offense, fraud, duress or intimidation.

“Coerced debt are financial obligations someone does not knowingly or voluntarily incur,” Ortitay said. “While this bill helps all victims of coerced debt, it is especially problematic for those suffering from domestic violence. Convicted abusers are using current law as a weapon to further hurt their victims by incurring debt in their victims’ names, thus causing long-term financial harm through severe damage to their credit and significant debt to repay.”

House Bill 2344 would allow victims of coerced debt to formally challenge such obligations with a creditor. Upon receiving a claim, a creditor would be required to make a good-faith determination as to whether the debt qualifies as coerced. If the debt is determined to be coerced, a creditor would be required to immediately cease all collection activities against the victim. In addition, the creditor could pursue the perpetrator responsible, thus ensuring financial liability is assigned to the appropriate party.

The bill is part of a five-bill package of legislation to offer domestic violence victims further protections, enhance offender accountability, and better prevent repeat and escalating violence in response to a man almost murdering his wife in 2022 in South Fayette Township.

The bill now goes to the full House for its consideration.

The 46th Legislative District includes South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant and North Strabane (Districts 6,7,8 and 9) townships and Canonsburg, Houston and McDonald boroughs in Washington County.

Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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