ACTION ALERT!: SENATOR WAYNE D. FONTANA RE-INTRODUCES SB 1243 - RE REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OF STUDENTS
ACTION ALERT!: SENATOR WAYNE D. FONTANA RE-INTRODUCES SB 1243 - RE REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OF STUDENTS
Friends -BACKGROUND: Current Pennsylvania law provides that if there is a case of intentional harm against a student in which the alleged perpetrator is a school employee, it is not considered child abuse unless it rises to the level of "serious bodily injury" which is equivalent to the loss of a limb or an organ that stops functioning, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation. ChildLine does not have responsibility for referral or investigation of cases; rather, it is local law enforcement that may investigate and the process is entirely different from that for any other individual who is suspected of child abuse. The new bill would amend the subsection that applies to school employees and include them in the general provisions of the Child Protective Services Law to ensure that all suspected cases of child abuse are treated the same.
If passed, this legislation would ensure Child Protective Services investigations of reported abuse of students including any act that results in non-accidental serious physical injuries that cause a child severe pain or significantly interferes with his or her ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental and social tasks.
No child should be forced to endure the level of abuse required under current law to be protected from further abuse by a school employee. DRN strongly supports this legislation and asks that you take action. Please call your state Senator NOW and ask that he or she co-sponsor the bill.
Thanks so much.
Sallie Lynagh
Disability Rights Networkof Pennsylvania
[email protected]
www.drnpa.org