An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Compliance Review and Reporting Program; imposing duties on the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services; and imposing penalties.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill establishes a Compliance Review and Reporting Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It requires the department to conduct reviews of health facilities, particularly those caring for children, to ensure reports of suspected sexual abuse or exploitation are being filed correctly according to state law. The bill also outlines penalties for noncompliance, including civil action for victims and potential fines for facilities, and requires the Department of Human Services to verify reporting compliance. It aims to improve the reporting and prosecution of these serious crimes.
Key provisions
- Establishes a Compliance Review and Reporting Program within the Department of Health.
- Requires facilities (hospitals, healthcare facilities) to review relevant health records for reports of suspected sexual abuse or exploitation.
- Mandates the Department of Human Services to verify the existence and validity of reports.
- Outlines penalties for facilities that fail to provide records or conceal information during compliance reviews.
- Allows for civil action by victims of sexual abuse or exploitation.
- Requires the department to post a report of facilities that failed to file required reports.
- Defines key terms, including ‘child,’ ‘facility,’ and ‘sexual abuse or exploitation.’
- Specifies that penalties collected will be deposited into the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund.
Who is affected
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1396 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
4 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Patrick Stefano
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