Memo #19: Penalties for failure to report child abuse
January 3, 2013 01:26 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
Senator Kim Ward
R Senate District 39
Memo
I plan to introduce a modified version of Senate Bill 1413 of last session, which amended the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23, Section 6319) to increase the penalties for failure to report or refer suspected child abuse.
The bill incorporates suggestions made by the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection. Their comprehensive report and model legislation can be found on their website at: http://www.childprotection.state.pa.us/news.cfm.
The penalty for failure to report child abuse by a mandatory reporter is increased to a misdemeanor of the second degree. Three new offenses are added, including intentionally interfering with the making of a report or referral of child abuse (1st degree misdemeanor), concealing child abuse to protect its’ discovery (3rd degree felony) and willful failure to report while the individual has reasonable cause to believe a child is actively being abused (3rd degree felony).
Previous co-sponsors of SB 1413 were Senators: SCARNATI, PILEGGI, COSTA, VOGEL, YAW, ALLOWAY, McILHINNEY, TOMLINSON, BROWNE, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, FERLO, ARGALL, MENSCH, SMUCKER, BAKER, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, EICHELBERGER, HUGHES, YUDICHAK, WASHINGTON, KASUNIC, LEACH, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, STACK, FARNESE and SCHWANK.
If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my office at 717-787-6063.
The bill incorporates suggestions made by the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection. Their comprehensive report and model legislation can be found on their website at: http://www.childprotection.state.pa.us/news.cfm.
The penalty for failure to report child abuse by a mandatory reporter is increased to a misdemeanor of the second degree. Three new offenses are added, including intentionally interfering with the making of a report or referral of child abuse (1st degree misdemeanor), concealing child abuse to protect its’ discovery (3rd degree felony) and willful failure to report while the individual has reasonable cause to believe a child is actively being abused (3rd degree felony).
Previous co-sponsors of SB 1413 were Senators: SCARNATI, PILEGGI, COSTA, VOGEL, YAW, ALLOWAY, McILHINNEY, TOMLINSON, BROWNE, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, FERLO, ARGALL, MENSCH, SMUCKER, BAKER, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, EICHELBERGER, HUGHES, YUDICHAK, WASHINGTON, KASUNIC, LEACH, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, STACK, FARNESE and SCHWANK.
If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my office at 717-787-6063.
Legislation
Document - Introduced as SB 22
Last updated on March 8, 2013 09:55 AM
Memo #19: Penalties for failure to report child abuse
January 3, 2013 01:26 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
WARD
Memo
I plan to introduce a modified version of Senate Bill 1413 of last session, which amended the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23, Section 6319) to increase the penalties for failure to report or refer suspected child abuse.
The bill incorporates suggestions made by the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection. Their comprehensive report and model legislation can be found on their website at: http://www.childprotection.state.pa.us/news.cfm.
The penalty for failure to report child abuse by a mandatory reporter is increased to a misdemeanor of the second degree. Three new offenses are added, including intentionally interfering with the making of a report or referral of child abuse (1st degree misdemeanor), concealing child abuse to protect its’ discovery (3rd degree felony) and willful failure to report while the individual has reasonable cause to believe a child is actively being abused (3rd degree felony).
Previous co-sponsors of SB 1413 were Senators: SCARNATI, PILEGGI, COSTA, VOGEL, YAW, ALLOWAY, McILHINNEY, TOMLINSON, BROWNE, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, FERLO, ARGALL, MENSCH, SMUCKER, BAKER, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, EICHELBERGER, HUGHES, YUDICHAK, WASHINGTON, KASUNIC, LEACH, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, STACK, FARNESE and SCHWANK.
If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my office at 717-787-6063.
The bill incorporates suggestions made by the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection. Their comprehensive report and model legislation can be found on their website at: http://www.childprotection.state.pa.us/news.cfm.
The penalty for failure to report child abuse by a mandatory reporter is increased to a misdemeanor of the second degree. Three new offenses are added, including intentionally interfering with the making of a report or referral of child abuse (1st degree misdemeanor), concealing child abuse to protect its’ discovery (3rd degree felony) and willful failure to report while the individual has reasonable cause to believe a child is actively being abused (3rd degree felony).
Previous co-sponsors of SB 1413 were Senators: SCARNATI, PILEGGI, COSTA, VOGEL, YAW, ALLOWAY, McILHINNEY, TOMLINSON, BROWNE, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, FERLO, ARGALL, MENSCH, SMUCKER, BAKER, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, EICHELBERGER, HUGHES, YUDICHAK, WASHINGTON, KASUNIC, LEACH, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, STACK, FARNESE and SCHWANK.
If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my office at 717-787-6063.
Document
Introduced as SB 22
Last Updated
March 8, 2013 09:55 AM
Generated 03/21/2025 10:31 PM