Bill > HB1465

This bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal law regarding false reports of child abuse by changing the degree of the misdemeanor offense. Specifically, the bill upgrades the offense from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor. The law applies to individuals who intentionally or knowingly make a false report of child abuse under Chapter 63 of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (which covers child protective services), or who intentionally or knowingly induce a child to make a false claim of child abuse. By elevating the degree of the misdemeanor, the bill signals a more serious approach to penalizing false child abuse reports, which can cause significant harm to individuals and waste valuable child protection resources. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment, giving state agencies and law enforcement time to prepare for the change in the law.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1465