Child Protective Service Law Change
Mandated Reporters
A number of statutes have recently been implemented dealing with mandated reporting (Act 31 of 2014, Act 33 of 2014, and Act 44 of 2014) and they have substantially expanded who is now considered a mandated reporter, including those maintaining professional licenses, certain attorneys, and volunteers who work with children, such as coaches. There is now also a mandatory training component for those who are considered mandated reporters. If someone has a question as to whether or not they are a reporter, this training can assist them with that determination. That training can be accessed at the following link: www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu.
For those planning to review the program, please allot up to 3 hours for completion.
Clearances
Beginning December 31, 2014, clearances will be necessary for the following individuals:
- An employee of child-care services
- A foster parent
- A prospective adoptive parent
- A self-employed family day-care provider
- An individual 14 years of age or older applying for a paid position as an employee responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children
- Any individual seeking to provide child-care services under contract with a child-care facility of program
- An individual 18 years of age or older who resides in the home of a foster parent for at least 30 days in a calendar year or who resides in the home of a prospective adoptive parent for at least 30 days in a calendar year
Information to be submitted:
- Individuals identified shall be required to submit the following information obtained within the proceeding one-year period to an employer, administrator, supervisor, or other person responsible for employment decisions or involved in the selection of volunteers
- A report of criminal history record information from the Pennsylvania State Police or a statement that no such records exists
- Certification from the Department of Human Services as to whether or not the person is named in the Statewide database as an alleged perpetrator in a pending child abuse investigation, or as the perpetrator in an indicated of founded report of child abuse
- A report of Federal criminal history
For more information regarding Clearances, please visit: www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov
Reference Materials