Oct. 30, 2019
HARRISBURG – The Children and Youth Committee today reported out legislation authored by Rep. Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks) to protect youth from child abuse that may involve a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“This legislation would help the Family Advocacy Program more easily recognize and take action upon child abuse and domestic violence within military barracks by connecting them with Child Protective Services,” said Polinchock. “The children of military personnel deserve just as much protection as any other child in this state.”
House Bill 1290 would require Child Protective Services (CPS) to immediately notify the Family Advocacy Program by contacting the program’s representative for the Commonwealth or the service member’s assigned military barrack, if the service member is the subject of a report due to an investigation. The Family Advocacy Program was established by the U.S. Department of Defense to address child and domestic abuse on military bases.
Under current law, CPS is not required to identify military families in child abuse cases, nor report such cases to appropriate military authorities.
House Bill 1290 now goes to the entire House to be considered.
Representative Todd Polinchock
144th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepPolinchock.com /
Faccebook.com/RepPolinchock