Nov. 24, 2015
HARRISBURG – House Judiciary Committee Majority Chairman Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) is pleased that his legislation to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act was approved by the House yesterday.
The purpose of the act is to help states develop methods to identify and determine appropriate responses to children involved in the child welfare system who are either victims or at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking. For example, under the act, child welfare agencies must report to law enforcement information about foster children who are victims or at risk of becoming such victims. Similarly, the county agency must also notify law enforcement if a foster child is missing from the home or is abducted. Law enforcement must notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“The goal of this legislation is to protect children in Pennsylvania and ensure they are placed in situations that are both physically and emotionally safe environments for them,” said Marsico.
The federal law also requires changes to the way in which permanency hearings are conducted under the Juvenile Act. The designation of Another Permanent Planned Living Arrangement, which is a designation indicating no permanent home has been found, has been eliminated for children under 16. In the case of foster children 16 and 17 years of age, a heightened level of case management review by the juvenile court is required. Part of the review includes the courts inquiring about efforts on the part of the county agency to find a fit and willing relative for the child, as well as the child’s desired permanency goal.
“According to the Department of Human Services, the Commonwealth risks losing a portion of our federal foster care funding if the General Assembly fails to enact certain provisions, which is why my
House Bill 1691 is so crucial,” said Marsico.
House Bill 1691 will now go to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Ronald Marsico
105th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RonMarsico.com
Media Contact: Autumn R. Southard, 717.652.3721
asouthar@pahousegop.com