The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts may develop
and implement ongoing education and training programs for
judges, including magisterial district judges and relevant
personnel, regarding child abuse, including child sexual abuse
and trauma, and domestic violence and the impact of child abuse
and domestic violence on children. The education and training
program shall be offered at intervals of no more than every
three years and shall include the latest best practices and only
evidence-based research from accredited institutions in child
abuse, including child sexual abuse and trauma, and domestic
violence designed to improve the ability of the court to
recognize and respond to the impact of child abuse and domestic
violence on all victims, specifically children. The education
and training program shall only utilize scientific theories that
meet admissibility standards in child abuse, including child
sexual abuse and trauma, and domestic abuse.
Section 4. Section 5983(a) of Title 42 is amended to read:
§ 5983. Rights and services.
(a) Designation of persons to act on behalf of children.--
Courts of common pleas may designate one or more persons as a
child advocate to provide the following services on behalf of
children who are involved in criminal proceedings as victims or
material witnesses or children who are the subject of a custody
agreement or dispute and who are alleged to have been abused or
have been impacted by domestic violence:
(1) To explain, in language understood by the child, all
legal proceedings in which the child will be involved.
(2) As a friend of the court, to advise the judge,
whenever appropriate, of the child's ability to understand
and cooperate with any court proceedings.
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