Bill Text: PA HB673 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Further providing for persons required to report suspected child abuse and for penalties for failure to report or to refer.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-4)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-12 - Referred to JUDICIARY [HB673 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2013-HB673-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 761

 

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

 

HOUSE BILL

No.

673

Session of 2013

 

 

 

INTRODUCED BY K. BOYLE, MCGEEHAN, B. BOYLE, ROZZI, D. COSTA, O'BRIEN, SCHLOSSBERG, MUNDY, C. HARRIS, THOMAS, SANTARSIERO, SWANGER, BISHOP, DEASY, COHEN, YOUNGBLOOD, KORTZ, GILLEN, PARKER, ROEBUCK AND MURT, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

 

 

REFERRED TO COMMITEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, further providing for persons required
to report suspected child abuse and for penalties for failure
to report or to refer.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Sections 6311(b) and (c) and 6319 of Title 23 of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

§ 6311. Persons required to report suspected child abuse.

* * *

(b) Enumeration of persons required to report.--Persons
required to report under subsection (a) include, but are not
limited to, any licensed physician, osteopath, medical examiner,
coroner, funeral director, dentist, optometrist, chiropractor,
podiatrist, intern, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse,
hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care
or treatment of persons, Christian Science practitioner, member
of the clergy, school administrator, school teacher, school

nurse, school staff member, school faculty, coach, social
services worker, day-care center worker or any other child-care
or foster-care worker, mental health professional, peace officer
or law enforcement official.

(c) Staff members of institutions, etc.--Whenever a person
is required to report under subsection (b) in the capacity as a
member of the staff of a medical or other public or private
institution, school, facility or agency, that person shall
immediately notify [the person in charge of the institution,
school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person
in charge. Upon notification, the person in charge or the
designated agent, if any, shall assume the responsibility and
have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made
in accordance with section 6313. This chapter does not require
more than one report from any such institution, school, facility
or agency] a law enforcement official and an agent for child 
protective services. For the purposes of this subsection, the 
term "law enforcement official" shall have the same meaning as 
"peace officer" as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to 
definitions).

* * *

§ 6319. Penalties for failure to report or to refer.

A person or official required by this chapter to report a
case of suspected child abuse or to make a referral to the
appropriate authorities who willfully fails to do so commits a
[misdemeanor] felony of the third degree for the first violation
and a [misdemeanor] felony of the second degree for a second or
subsequent violation.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.