Bill > HB1232

This bill amends Pennsylvania's child protective services laws in several ways: It requires public and nonpublic schools to prominently display a poster with the statewide toll-free telephone number for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, as well as any statewide toll-free number related to school safety. It also requires hospitals to publicly display a similar poster in their emergency departments. The bill extends the retention period for valid general protective services reports from 5 to 10 years, or until the youngest child identified in the report reaches 23 years of age. It also allows county agencies to maintain certain expunged records to assist with future risk and safety assessments. The bill modifies the requirements for employees, foster/adoptive parents, and volunteers who have contact with children, including the documentation they must submit. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with other state agencies, to develop protocols and a "plan of safe care" for infants born affected by substance use or withdrawal or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This notification to the state is not considered a child abuse report.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2017&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1232