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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2012
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Senate Approves Vance Legislation to Help Identify Child Abuse
HARRISBURG – The Senate on Monday approved legislation, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York), that would require school personnel be trained to recognize the signs of child abuse.
Senate Bill 449 now goes to the Governor for his consideration.
"Educators, under state law, are mandatory reporters of child abuse, but were not always given the tools necessary to identify child abuse in its many forms," Vance said. "When I realized teachers had a legal obligation to report their suspicions, but no framework in which to evaluate what they saw, I introduced this legislation to close the policy gap. I'm hopeful by providing this training even the most subtle forms of abuse can be quickly and appropriately identified."
The bill requires schools and their independent contractors to provide training on child abuse recognition and reporting to their employees who have direct contact with children. The training will include recognition of signs of abuse and sexual misconduct; mandatory reporting requirements; individual school policies regarding reporting of suspected abuse; and guidelines for professional and appropriate relationships with students. At least three hours of training in child abuse identification would be required every five years. Continuing education credits would be awarded for programs approved by the departments of Education and Public Welfare.
The bill would go into effect in 180 days after receiving the governor's signature.
Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.
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