(a) General rule.--In a child custody proceeding in this Commonwealth, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this Commonwealth to appear before the court in person with or without the child. The court may order any person who is in this Commonwealth and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.
(b) Party outside this Commonwealth.--If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this Commonwealth, the court may order that a notice given pursuant to section 5408 (relating to notice to persons outside Commonwealth) include a statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.
(c) Personal safety.--The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.
(d) Expenses.--If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this Commonwealth is directed to appear under subsection (b) or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 54 - Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement
Section 5401 - Short title of chapter
Section 5403 - Proceedings governed by other law
Section 5404 - Application to Native American tribes
Section 5405 - International application of chapter
Section 5406 - Effect of child custody determination
Section 5408 - Notice to persons outside Commonwealth
Section 5409 - Appearance and limited immunity
Section 5410 - Communication between courts
Section 5411 - Taking testimony in another state
Section 5412 - Cooperation between courts; preservation of records
Section 5421 - Initial child custody jurisdiction
Section 5422 - Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction
Section 5423 - Jurisdiction to modify determination
Section 5424 - Temporary emergency jurisdiction
Section 5425 - Notice; opportunity to be heard; joinder
Section 5426 - Simultaneous proceedings
Section 5427 - Inconvenient forum
Section 5428 - Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct
Section 5429 - Information to be submitted to court
Section 5430 - Appearance of parties and child
Section 5442 - Enforcement under Hague Convention
Section 5443 - Duty to enforce
Section 5444 - Temporary visitation
Section 5445 - Registration of child custody determination
Section 5446 - Enforcement of registered determination
Section 5447 - Simultaneous proceedings
Section 5448 - Expedited enforcement of child custody determination
Section 5449 - Service of petition and order
Section 5450 - Hearing and order
Section 5451 - Warrant to take physical custody of child
Section 5452 - Costs, fees and expenses
Section 5453 - Recognition and enforcement
Section 5455 - Role of prosecutor or public official
Section 5456 - Role of law enforcement
Section 5457 - Costs and expenses
Section 5471 - Intrastate application