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SENATE APPROVES CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION
The full Senate has given its unanimous approval to a number of bills that are part of that chambers' child protection reform package.
Specifically, the Senate approved SB 21, expanding the number of mandated reporters, and SB 22, clarifying and increasing penalties for failing to report suspected child abuse (both sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland); SB 23 (sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne), expanding the definition of perpetrator; SB 27 (sponsored by Sen. Bob Mensch, R-Montgomery), providing for increased communication between county agencies and the medical community; SB 30 (sponsored Sen. Edwin Erickson, R-Delaware), increasing the scope of information maintained in the child abuse central registry and providing immunity from liability for certain persons; and SB 33 (sponsored by Sen. Mensch), providing for protection from employment discrimination for persons making reports of suspected child abuse.
Another bill, SB 20, sponsored by Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia), expanding the definition of child abuse, was also to be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee but was held over for further discussion.
CCAP has submitted comments to Senate members on the impact of the proposed changes in the bills, along with suggestions for further amendments. Counties remain fully committed to their mission of protecting vulnerable children and their families and are encouraged by the attention of the Senate to these important issues. However, any changes adopted must be cognizant of the potential for increased pressure on the child welfare system, and must assure that funds are available to enable counties to implement and enforce the laws to the best of their ability. Additional talking points on the impacts of the legislation are available at CCAP's Legislative Action Center. |
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ADDITIONAL CHILD PROTECTION BILLS ADVANCE
The Senate Communications and Technology Committee reported two bills relating to electronic reporting that were part of the larger package on child protective services. Senate Bill 24 sponsored by committee chair Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny), would establish a statewide database for child abuse reports, intended to enhance cross-county referrals and assist counties in addressing mobile families.
An amendment added provisions from Sen.Vulakovich's SB 25 into the bill that address procedures for electronically reporting child abuse and that require counties to be able to receive electronic reports at any time. While CCAP believes electronic reporting would ultimately improve counties' abilities to protect children, the Association noted that some counties that do not have appropriate software or constant web access will need assistance in upgrading their systems. The amendment was adopted and the bill as amended was reported from committee by a unanimous vote.
Senate Bill 26, introduced by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) was also reported by a unanimous vote, and would establish a new toll-free three digit phone number for suspected child abuse reporting. As a supplement to the existing Child Line that has operated in the commonwealth for more than 30 years, this provision will likely improve child safety by increasing the number of cases reported and investigated.
In other committee activity, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee considered SB 29, which clarifies existing statute requiring a health care provider to make a report of suspected child abuse when a newborn is identified as being affected by substance abuse. The committee adopted an amendment that adds a definition of "safety assessment," expands the bill's provisions to all children under one year of age to align with federal requirements, and reprioritizes the required county action on receipt of such a report to ensure the immediate safety of the child. SB 29, which was introduced by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), was unanimously reported to the Senate floor as amended. |
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CHILD ABUSE MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIVE TEAM
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee recently approved legislation regarding multidisciplinary investigative teams, which focus on a team approach with law enforcement in handling cases of suspected child abuse. Counties support this type of team strategy, recognizing that a multi-faceted approach is often needed to analyze and explore intervention options.
Much of Sen. LeAnna Washington's (D-Philadelphia) SB 1116 simply reformats existing statutory language in terms of process and procedure, but in particular allows a county agency to require a medical exam if deemed necessary because of information discovered during the investigation. Current law authorizes county agencies to require a medical exam only if the investigation indicates serious physical injury of the child.
The committee unanimously approved the legislation with a technical amendment. Senate Bill 1116 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. |
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PREVAILING WAGE LOCAL OPT-OUT BILL MOVES FORWARD
House Bill 1538, a bill that would provide local governments the authority to opt-out of prevailing wage requirements, was approved by the House Labor and Industry Committee on Sept. 25 by a 15-10 vote, with Republicans voting in favor of the bill and Democratic members voting in the negative. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Ron Miller (R-York), would provide an opportunity for local governments to determine, based on local conditions and markets, whether resources can be used more efficiently to address community needs. Prevailing wage reform continues to be a CCAP legislative priority, and other bills, including HB 665 (updating the definition of maintenance) and HB 796 (increasing the threshold) are currently before the full House as well.
The following day, the House Labor and Industry Committee met in Williamsport for its final in a series of hearings on the impacts of prevailing wage on local government. Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz and Lycoming County Commissioner Jeff Wheeland both offered examples of how prevailing wages have increased costs of projects above what would have been paid if market rates had been applied and the effect that has on county taxpayers. Their full testimony can be found on the CCAP Government Relations web page. |
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GIS ADVISORY BOARD BILL REPORTED
House Bill 1285, legislation offered by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) to create a joint advisory board to improve coordination and efficiency of geospatial information systems (GIS) policies and data collection, was recently reported by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Counties use GIS for a variety of applications, such as emergency services, land use planning, transportation, telecommunication, property assessment, criminal justice and environmental management. However, while GIS depends on data and applications from all levels of government, in current practice this data is largely uncoordinated.
House Bill 1285 would create an advisory board to bring together state, local, private and academic entities to provide advice and recommendations to the Governor and the commonwealth on common methodologies and datasets. By bringing GIS stakeholders together to coordinate efforts throughout the commonwealth, the advisory board will eliminate needless duplication, improve efficiencies and offer state and local governments an opportunity to use limited resources more responsibly.
The committee adopted a technical amendment making several clarifications in the underlying bill, and reported the bill to the House floor as amended by a 25-0 vote. |
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CCAP AFFILIATE TESTIFIES ON TREATMENT IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL
On Tuesday, Sept. 24, PA Association for County Drug and Alcohol Administrators (PACDAA) Executive Director Michele Denk represented PACDAA and CCAP before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a public hearing on SB 1104, the proposed Criminal Justice and Addiction Treatment Act. Speaking on behalf of Single County Authorities (SCAs) and their interaction with county government, Denk explained how treatment services are provided at the county level.
The legislation, sponsored by committee chair Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), mandates implementation of evidence-based programs for all licensed providers, which PACDAA and CCAP support. However, as Denk explained, the bill's changes in service delivery for agencies involved with the criminal justice system would require additional resources. She suggested that the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs work with the SCAs and the Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and county criminal justice to develop a comprehensive plan for treatment of justice-involved individuals. Further, she noted that if planning does not occur, already scarce resources could force rationing among other clients if funds are redirected to prioritize this justice-involved population.
The legislation also mandates substance abuse screening for all defendants at the time of their arraignment, creating tremendous challenges in terms of costs, training and manpower. Counties question who will be responsible for ensuring that certified assessors are available in every magisterial district within the Commonwealth, and how this will impact access and system capacity.
Further, Denk suggested tasking the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs with cataloging any evidence-based programs that are currently employed at licensed facilities and undertaking efforts to train more physicians to become more adept at screening and intervention.
CCAP and PACDAA indicated willingness to work with the legislature and state and local partners to improve outcomes for all services. Denk's full testimony can be read on CCAP's Government Relations web page. |
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IMPACT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
As of press time, the U.S. Congress and President Obama continue to work toward a resolution of budget issues that led to a partial shutdown of the federal government, following the failure to enact a stop-gap funding measure before the Oct. 1 start of the federal fiscal year. Essential services, especially those related to public safety, will continue to be carried out, as will mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare. In general, most discretionary programs that do not provide these essential services will cease operations unless there are carryover funds available. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has provided details by agency regarding the likely impact the shutdown will have on counties, which is available at www.naco.org. |
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