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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Kevin Boyle
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Rep. Kevin Boyle urges action on his legislation
to require witnesses to report the abuse of a child
HARRISBURG, Dec. 28 – State Rep. Kevin Boyle is urging Gov. Tom Corbett and Republican leaders of the state House and Senate to take action on his legislation to require witnesses of child abuse to report it to law enforcement.
House Bill 1990 would require staff members of institutions who are aware of abuse to immediately notify law enforcement and child protective services. Not doing so could result in a third-degree felony under the legislation.
Current law only requires that the abuse be reported to the person in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person in charge.
Boyle said he introduced the bill in response to the recent abuse scandal at Pennsylvania State University.
"When the story on the Sandusky case first broke, many lawmakers and especially the governor came forward saying that the law should change to ensure that the proper authorities are notified when child abuse is suspected," Boyle said. "My legislation would accomplish that necessary change, but my Republican colleagues have failed to take action on the bill."
Boyle noted that Corbett, in a November interview with NBC's Meet the Press, answered, "Should the law be changed? Absolutely," when asked whether a new law is needed to make sure reports of alleged child sexual abuse are made to government authorities.
"If Governor Corbett absolutely believes that, then why has he not urged Republican leaders in the General Assembly to bring my bill up for a vote," said Boyle, D-Phila.
Boyle said that Corbett, during that same interview with Meet the Press, indicated that the Pennsylvania legislature was likely to pass a child sex-abuse reporting law by the end of the year in reaction to the Penn State University scandal. Clearly, Boyle said, that did not and will not happen as the General Assembly is not back in session until after the new year.
"I am calling on our governor and legislative leaders to do the right thing for Pennsylvania's children and to take swift action on my legislation when we come back to session in 2012," Boyle said.
House Bill 1990 awaits consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.
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