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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop |
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Bishop introduces legislation to protect child abuse victims
HARRISBURG, Sept. 28 – State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila. has introduced legislation that would prosecute anyone who has knowledge of sex offenses occurring against children but fails to report the incidents to law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania.
The legislation is being considered in the House Judiciary Committee.
Bishop said the measure (H.B. 1876) would require that sexual abuse against children be directly reported to law enforcement authorities.
“The earlier child abuse is caught, the better the chance of recovery and appropriate treatment for the child,” Bishop said.
Bishop said violation of this measure would be a second-degree felony.
The bill has bipartisan support.
The Philadelphia legislator is chairwoman of the House Children and Youth Committee.
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