THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WARD, VANCE, SCARNATI, PILEGGI, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, TOMLINSON, SCHWANK, BAKER, PIPPY, ERICKSON, WAUGH, D. WHITE, BRUBAKER, ARGALL, FERLO, PICCOLA, MENSCH, RAFFERTY, YAW, VOGEL, GORDNER, STACK, YUDICHAK, EICHELBERGER AND ALLOWAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011

REFERRED TO AGING AND YOUTH, DECEMBER 12, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Establishing the Task Force on Child Protection.

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1)  Recent events require a review of laws and

procedures relating to the reporting of child abuse and the

protection of the health and safety of children.

(2)  A review of these laws and procedures will help to

ensure that the Commonwealth is able to adequately protect

its children.

(3)  It is the responsibility of the Commonwealth to

protect its citizens, particularly children.

(4)  Therefore, the General Assembly shall establish a

task force to conduct a thorough and comprehensive review to:

(i)  ascertain any inadequacies relating to the

mandatory reporting of child abuse; and

(ii)  restore public confidence in the ability of the

Commonwealth to protect the victims of child abuse;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Child Protection be

established; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force consist of the following

members, appointed within 25 days after the adoption of this

resolution by both chambers:

(1)  Six members knowledgeable and experienced in issues

relating to child abuse or providing services to victims of

child abuse as follows:

(i)  Three members appointed by the President pro

tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Majority

Leader and the Minority Leader of the Senate. A member

under this subparagraph may be a member of the Senate.

(ii)  Three members appointed by the Speaker of the

House of Representatives, in consultation with the

Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the House of

Representatives. A member under this subparagraph may be

a member of the House of Representatives.

(2)  Four members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(i)  One member shall be a member of the general

public.

(ii)  One member shall be a member of a victim

organization or a children and youth services

organization who is directly involved in providing

services to victims of child abuse.

(iii)  One member experienced in the operation and

interaction between a county children and youth agency

and the Commonwealth.

(iv)  A district attorney.

(3)  The Secretary of Public Welfare or a designee who

shall be an employee of the department. The designee shall be

appointed in writing, and a copy shall be submitted to the

chairman of the task force;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor select the chairperson of the

task force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force conduct its business as

follows:

(1)  The physical presence of six members constitutes a

quorum of the task force.

(2)  Action of the task force shall be authorized or

ratified by majority vote of its members.

(3)  A member not physically present may participate by

teleconference or video conference.

(4)  The following shall apply:

(i)  The task force shall meet as necessary but no

fewer than five times prior to September 30, 2012.

Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson as

necessary.

(ii)  The chairperson shall schedule a meeting upon

written request of eight members of the task force.

(iii)  The first meeting shall be convened within 45

days.

(iv)  The task force shall hold public hearings as

necessary to obtain the information required to conduct

its review.

(v)  The Department of Public Welfare, the Joint

State Government Commission and the Juvenile Courts

Judges' Commission shall cooperate to provide

administrative or other assistance to the task force.

(vi)  Members shall not receive compensation but

shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses

incurred in service of the task force;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force have the following powers:

(1)  To examine and analyze the practices, processes and

procedures relating to the response to child abuse.

(2)  To review and analyze law, procedures, practices and

rules relating to the reporting of child abuse.

(3)  To hold public hearings for the taking of testimony

and the requesting of documents.

(4)  The chairperson shall have the power to administer

oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the task

force;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force have the following duties:

(1)  To accept and review written comments from

individuals and organizations.

(2)  To make, by November 30, 2012, a final report to the

Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

(3)  Based on its review, the report under paragraph (2)

shall include recommendations:

(i)  To improve the reporting of child abuse.

(ii)  To implement any necessary changes in State

statutes and practices, policies and procedures relating

to child abuse.

(iii)  To train appropriate individuals in the

reporting of child abuse.

(4)  To make reports as follows:

(i)  The task force may file status reports and

updates with the Governor and the Senate and the House of

Representatives as it deems appropriate.

(ii)  A report under this paragraph shall be adopted

at a public meeting.

(iii)  A report under this paragraph shall be a

public record under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,

No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force expire December 31, 2012.