Bill Text: PA HR522 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Establishing the Task Force on Child Protection.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-12-14 - Adopted (191-5) [HR522 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR522-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2876
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 522 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY MARSICO AND CALTAGIRONE, DECEMBER 12, 2011
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, DECEMBER 12, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Establishing the Task Force on Child Protection.
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Recent events require a review of laws and
procedures relating to the reporting of child abuse and the
protection of the health and safety of children.
(2) A review of these laws and procedures will help to
ensure that the Commonwealth is able to adequately protect
its children.
(3) It is the responsibility of the Commonwealth to
protect its citizens, particularly children.
(4) Therefore, the General Assembly shall establish a
task force to conduct a thorough and comprehensive review to:
(i) ascertain any inadequacies relating to the
mandatory reporting of child abuse; and
(ii) restore public confidence in the ability of the
Commonwealth to protect the victims of child abuse;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Child Protection be
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established; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force consist of the following
members, appointed within 25 days after the adoption of this
resolution by both chambers:
(1) Six members knowledgeable and experienced in issues
relating to child abuse or providing services to victims of
child abuse as follows:
(i) Three members appointed by the President pro
tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Majority
Leader and the Minority Leader of the Senate. A member
under this subparagraph may be a member of the Senate.
(ii) Three members appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, in consultation with the
Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives. A member under this subparagraph may be
a member of the House of Representatives.
(2) Four members appointed by the Governor as follows:
(i) One member shall be a member of the general
public.
(ii) One member shall be a member of a victim
organization or a children and youth services
organization who is directly involved in providing
services to victims of child abuse.
(iii) One member experienced in the operation and
interaction between a county children and youth agency
and the Commonwealth.
(iv) A district attorney.
(3) The Secretary of Public Welfare or a designee who
shall be an employee of the department. The designee shall be
appointed in writing, and a copy shall be submitted to the
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chairman of the task force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Governor select the chairperson of the
task force; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force conduct its business as
follows:
(1) The physical presence of six members constitutes a
quorum of the task force.
(2) Action of the task force shall be authorized or
ratified by majority vote of its members.
(3) A member not physically present may participate by
teleconference or video conference.
(4) The following shall apply:
(i) The task force shall meet as necessary but no
fewer than five times prior to September 30, 2012.
Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson as
necessary.
(ii) The chairperson shall schedule a meeting upon
written request of eight members of the task force.
(iii) The first meeting shall be convened within 45
days.
(iv) The task force shall hold public hearings as
necessary to obtain the information required to conduct
its review.
(v) The Department of Public Welfare, the Joint
State Government Commission and the Juvenile Courts
Judges' Commission shall cooperate to provide
administrative or other assistance to the task force.
(vi) Members shall not receive compensation but
shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses
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incurred in service of the task force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force have the following powers:
(1) To examine and analyze the practices, processes and
procedures relating to the response to child abuse.
(2) To review and analyze law, procedures, practices and
rules relating to the reporting of child abuse.
(3) To hold public hearings for the taking of testimony
and the requesting of documents.
(4) The chairperson shall have the power to administer
oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the task
force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force have the following duties:
(1) To accept and review written comments from
individuals and organizations.
(2) To make, by November 30, 2012, a final report to the
Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(3) Based on its review, the report under paragraph (2)
shall include recommendations:
(i) To improve the reporting of child abuse.
(ii) To implement any necessary changes in State
statutes and practices, policies and procedures relating
to child abuse.
(iii) To train appropriate individuals in the
reporting of child abuse.
(4) To make reports as follows:
(i) The task force may file status reports and
updates with the Governor and the Senate and the House of
Representatives as it deems appropriate.
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(ii) A report under this paragraph shall be adopted
at a public meeting.
(iii) A report under this paragraph shall be a
public record under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,
No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force expire December 31, 2012.
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