1Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, further providing for persons required
3to report suspected child abuse and for penalties for failure
4to report or to refer.

5The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6hereby enacts as follows:

7Section 1. Sections 6311(b) and (c) and 6319 of Title 23 of
8the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

9§ 6311. Persons required to report suspected child abuse.

10* * *

11(b) Enumeration of persons required to report.--Persons
12required to report under subsection (a) include, but are not
13limited to, any licensed physician, osteopath, medical examiner,
14coroner, funeral director, dentist, optometrist, chiropractor,
15podiatrist, intern, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse,
16hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care
17or treatment of persons, Christian Science practitioner, member
18of the clergy, school administrator, school teacher, school

1nurse, school staff member, school faculty, coach, social
2services worker, day-care center worker or any other child-care
3or foster-care worker, mental health professional, peace officer
4or law enforcement official.

5(c) Staff members of institutions, etc.--Whenever a person
6is required to report under subsection (b) in the capacity as a
7member of the staff of a medical or other public or private
8institution, school, facility or agency, that person shall
9immediately notify [the person in charge of the institution,
10school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person
11in charge. Upon notification, the person in charge or the
12designated agent, if any, shall assume the responsibility and
13have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made
14in accordance with section 6313. This chapter does not require
15more than one report from any such institution, school, facility
16or agency] a law enforcement official and an agent for child 
17protective services. For the purposes of this subsection, the 
18term "law enforcement official" shall have the same meaning as 
19"peace officer" as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to 
20definitions).

21* * *

22§ 6319. Penalties for failure to report or to refer.

23A person or official required by this chapter to report a
24case of suspected child abuse or to make a referral to the
25appropriate authorities who willfully fails to do so commits a
26[misdemeanor] felony of the third degree for the first violation
27and a [misdemeanor] felony of the second degree for a second or
28subsequent violation.

29Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.