Pennsylvania would reorganize child-abuse records and screening rules

The Department of Human Services would maintain a child abuse registry and a statewide child-welfare case management system. The registry would list people connected to substantiated child abuse and include limited identifying and case information. The case management system would contain protective-services records, referrals and case-management records. The registry could retain only the information listed in the act. Access to registry and case-management information would be limited to uses allowed by the child protective services law. Unfounded reports could remain available for future safety reviews, service planning and research. The registry and related record-system provisions would take effect immediately after the department publishes notice that counties have implemented the case management system.

Child-care centers, group child-care homes and family child-care homes would use the department’s consolidated eligibility determination before hiring, approving or allowing covered residence. The process would cover employees, contractors, operators, self-employed family child-care providers, covered volunteers and adults living in certain child-care homes for at least 30 days in a calendar year. Applicants would submit fingerprints and applications for state, federal and applicable out-of-state checks. The department would review criminal records, child-abuse registries and sex-offender registries. People found ineligible could not work, serve or reside in the covered child-care setting. A provisional employee could work for one period of up to 45 days if the required submissions, written affirmation and supervision rules are met. These child-care screening provisions would take effect 18 months after enactment; covered people would generally be screened again every 60 months.

Mandated reporters would immediately report suspected abuse orally or electronically, and an oral report would also require a mailed or faxed written report within 48 hours. The reporting rules would apply to mandated reporters and to any person with reasonable cause to suspect child abuse. The definitions would cover permitting a child to be present where controlled substances are illegally manufactured and engaging a child in human trafficking. Electronic confirmation would relieve a reporter from making an additional oral or written report, subject to the reporting-procedure rules. Investigations would generally be completed within 60 days, with an exception when court, administrative or criminal proceedings cause a delay. A county agency could ask a court to order drug or alcohol screening when substance use may contribute to alleged abuse or neglect. The reporting, definition and investigation provisions would generally take effect 180 days after enactment unless the act assigns a different effective date.