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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Elisabeth ‘Lisa’ Bennington |
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Bennington child protection initiative signed into law
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19 – A measure introduced by freshman Democratic state Rep. Lisa Bennington that requires FBI clearances for foster and adoptive parents in Pennsylvania was signed into law by the governor this week.
Bennington said the new law (Act 73 of 2007) requires all foster and adoptive parent applicants to obtain an FBI clearance prior to their approval. Further, any applicants or people over 18 residing in the applicants’ homes who have lived outside Pennsylvania within the past five years will be required to obtain child abuse clearances from the Statewide Central Register, or the equivalent depending on the state in which they had previously resided.
“Becoming an adoptive or foster parent takes tremendous commitment and love, and those who make the choice to undertake that responsibility deserve our gratitude,” Bennington said. “But unfortunately, we know that not every adult is well-intentioned, and my measure aims to identify those people who may do harm in a child’s life.”
Bennington’s measure also includes a provision to have adoptive and foster parents – and any adult living with them -- renew their child abuse clearance every 24 months.
In addition to adoptive and foster parents and those in their homes, the law also requires an FBI clearance for any person seeking employment in a child-care service, for child-care providers and for people seeking to operate a child-care service.
Before being signed by the governor, Bennington’s measure had garnered unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly.
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |