Feb. 08, 2017
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved legislation, sponsored by Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), that would require courts to have complete records regarding whether a child subject to a Protection from Abuse (PFA) proceeding has been abused or is the subject of a child abuse investigation.
The bill is the result of recommendations made by the Task Force on Child Protection in 2012.
“This is the third legislative session I have introduced this bill, and third time the House has passed it unanimously,” Delozier said. “This barrier in communication in our judicial system needs to be eliminated. This legislation will now move through the Senate and to the governor’s desk for signature this year so that the courts have a full picture of the situation when rendering decisions. Child abuse is horrible, and every step must be taken to protect our children.”
House Bill 44 would require a plaintiff in a PFA case to notify the courts if he or she has knowledge of a substantiated child abuse investigation so that the courts will know that a PFA order issued may have a legal impact on the defendant in the realm of child abuse. The petition also would set forth the name of the investigative agency.
The bill will now be referred to the Senate.
The 88th Legislative District in Cumberland County includes Lower Allen and Upper Allen townships and the boroughs of Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland, Shiremanstown and Wormleysburg.
Representative Sheryl Delozier
88th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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