PRINTER'S NO.  2743

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

1990

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY K. BOYLE, BISHOP, B. BOYLE, V. BROWN, DONATUCCI, GEIST, GEORGE, READSHAW, SANTARSIERO, STABACK, MAHONEY, CARROLL, KAVULICH, D. COSTA AND DEASY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania

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Consolidated Statutes, further providing for persons required

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to report suspected child abuse and for penalties for failure

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to report or to refer.

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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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hereby enacts as follows:

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Section 1.  Sections 6311(b) and (c) and 6319 of Title 23 of

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the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

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§ 6311.  Persons required to report suspected child abuse.

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* * *

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(b)  Enumeration of persons required to report.--Persons

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required to report under subsection (a) include, but are not

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limited to, any licensed physician, osteopath, medical examiner,

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coroner, funeral director, dentist, optometrist, chiropractor,

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podiatrist, intern, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse,

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hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care

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or treatment of persons, Christian Science practitioner, member

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of the clergy, school administrator, school teacher, school

 


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nurse, school staff member, school faculty, coach, social

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services worker, day-care center worker or any other child-care

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or foster-care worker, mental health professional, peace officer

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or law enforcement official.

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(c)  Staff members of institutions, etc.--Whenever a person

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is required to report under subsection (b) in the capacity as a

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member of the staff of a medical or other public or private

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institution, school, facility or agency, that person shall

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immediately notify [the person in charge of the institution,

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school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person

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in charge. Upon notification, the person in charge or the

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designated agent, if any, shall assume the responsibility and

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have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made

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in accordance with section 6313. This chapter does not require

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more than one report from any such institution, school, facility

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or agency] a law enforcement official and an agent for child

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protective services. For the purposes of this subsection, the

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term "law enforcement official" shall have the same meaning as

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"peace officer" as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to

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definitions).

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* * *

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§ 6319.  Penalties for failure to report or to refer.

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A person or official required by this chapter to report a

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case of suspected child abuse or to make a referral to the

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appropriate authorities who willfully fails to do so commits a

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[misdemeanor] felony of the third degree for the first violation

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and a [misdemeanor] felony of the second degree for a second or

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subsequent violation.

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Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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