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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 9, 2016 04:00 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Guy Reschenthaler |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Clarifying the Mandated Reporter Language |
| In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that would clarify the language of the child abuse reporting law in Pennsylvania. Although the law has been in effect for over a year, confusion over when the abuse reports must be filed continues to occur. In a case involving the Plum School District, an Allegheny County grand jury criticized the language as being too vague and not clearly stating what constitutes “reasonable cause to suspect abuse.” This grand jury report also encouraged the Pennsylvania Legislature to take another look at the current language. My legislation would work to elucidate what constitutes “reasonable cause to suspect abuse.” While Pennsylvania has made significant progress in emphasizing the importance of reporting child abuse, it is necessary to also address the complications in interpreting and implementing the reporting law. This clarification will improve the child abuse reporting laws in Pennsylvania and ensure that confusion does not impede reporters from coming forward about possible child abuse. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Please contact my office with any questions at 717-787-5839. |