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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: James M. Dawes Communications Director Professional Licensure Committee |
State Rep. Mike Sturla D-Lancaster Majority Deputy Whip Chairman, Professional Licensure Committee |
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Sturla introduces legislative package to strengthen child abuse laws
HARRISBURG, April 11 – With April being Child Abuse Prevention Month in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, has introduced a legislative package that would strengthen the state’s child abuse laws.
“The goal of my legislative package is to protect children in Pennsylvania by streamlining the child abuse laws,” Sturla said. “For example, the current definitions of child abuse and abuse of students are not aligned. Furthermore, while schools are prohibited by law from hiring applicants who have committed child abuse, the school may not be aware when an employee is under investigation for child abuse. My legislation would resolve these problems and toughen our laws.”
Under the first bill (H.B. 1022), a county agency would be required to notify the employer about a child abuse report against its child-care service employee, service provider, administrator or school employee. Revealed information would be restricted to the status of the report.
The second bill (H.B. 1023) would require a school to immediately implement a plan of supervision or alternative arrangement upon county notification that one of its employees is under investigation for suspected child abuse. This requirement is already in law for child care service personnel at child care locations.
The third bill (H.B. 1024) would bring the definition of school abuse in line with the existing definition of child abuse and also clarify that the county children and youth agency be notified when a school employee abuses a student. Statutorily, child abuse in schools would be treated the same as child abuse outside of schools.
“It is critical that we update our state laws to prevent potential child abuse perpetrators from working in our schools,” Sturla said. “School employees who commit child abuse offenses should be handled the same as non-school employees. My legislation would ensure that schools are aware of suspected child abuse and justice is served to all perpetrators regardless of their employment.”
The last part (H.B. 1026) of the Sturla package would combine all three bills into one. All four bills have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
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