This week the House continued to update the Child Protective Services Law with the passage of House Bill 434. House Bill 434 is part of a larger child protection package that the Legislature has been working on this session to ensure children are better protected. House Bill 434 changes the mandatory reporting requirements for school employees by requiring that these individuals report suspected abuse against students directly to Department of Public Welfare’s (DPW) ChildLine, instead of to their superiors. This bill, which is headed to the governor’s desk, also expands background checks and other security requirements to school employees and to any other volunteer working directly with children, including student teachers. Additionally, the legislation increases the penalties for refusing to cooperate with a child abuse investigation. Anyone can anonymously report suspected child abuse by using the DPW ChildLine phone number: 1-800-932-0313.
Posted on: Thu, 08 May 2014 19:05:00 +0000