PRINTER'S NO. 470
No. 406 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY PETRI, BENNINGHOFF, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, DALEY,
GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, HARHAI, M. KELLER, MANN, PHILLIPS,
PYLE, RAPP, REICHLEY, SCAVELLO, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STABACK,
WATSON AND J. WHITE, FEBRUARY 13, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, FEBRUARY 13, 2007
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
2 Consolidated Statutes, further providing for definitions; and
3 providing for quality improvement of county agencies.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Section 6303(a) of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania
7 Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
8 § 6303. Definitions.
9 (a) General rule.--The following words and phrases when used
10 in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this
11 section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
12 * * *
13 "Accreditation." The recognition of an entity such as a
14 county or private agency as maintaining standards that affirm
15 the caliber of the services provided by the agency and afford
16 criteria by which the public may identify the standards for
17 efficient management and high-quality services.
1 "Accreditation agency." A nationally recognized child-care
2 and family-care service and behavioral health care accrediting
3 organization that promotes standards and champions quality
4 services for children, youth and families.
5 * * *
6 "Prevention service." A service for children and their
7 families which is primarily designed to prevent child abuse and
8 neglect, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, school
9 dropouts, truancy, violence and the need for out-of-home
10 placements.
11 * * *
12 Section 2. Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of Title 23 is amended
13 by adding sections to read:
14 § 6350. County agency accreditation.
15 By January 1, 2008, county agencies providing child
16 protective services as defined in section 6303 (relating to
17 definitions) shall be accredited by an accreditation agency. The
18 department shall take appropriate action if a county agency has
19 not achieved accreditation by January 1, 2009.
20 § 6350.1 Department accreditation.
21 (a) Accreditation.--By January 1, 2008, the department shall
22 be accredited by an accreditation agency.
23 (b) Grants.--The department shall make available grants from
24 an amount to be appropriated by the General Assembly for county
25 agencies and public and private agencies to obtain
26 accreditation.
27 (c) Annual inspections.--If a county agency or public or
28 private agency has been accredited by an accreditation agency,
29 the agency shall not be subject to the requirements of the
30 department prescribed in 55 Pa. Code § 20.31 (relating to annual
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1 inspection) unless deemed appropriate by the department.
2 Section 3. Section 6364 of Title 23 is amended to read:
3 § 6364. Purchasing services of other agencies.
4 (a) General rule.--Any other provision of law
5 notwithstanding but consistent with sections 6361 (relating to
6 organization for child protective services) and 6362 (relating
7 to responsibilities of county agency for child protective
8 services), the county agency, based upon the plan of services as
9 provided in section 6363 (relating to county plan for protective
10 services), may purchase and utilize the services of any
11 appropriate public or private agency.
12 (b) Accreditation.--A public or private agency providing
13 child protective services to a county agency shall be accredited
14 by an accreditation agency. Agencies receiving funds from the
15 department or a county agency to provide prevention services
16 shall also be accredited by an accreditation agency. A public or
17 private agency shall receive accreditation by January 1, 2008.
18 If after January 1, 2008, the agency has not been accredited,
19 the county agency shall not purchase the services of the public
20 or private agency.
21 Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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