Mensch Supports Protection for Child Abuse Whistleblowers

From state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24:

As chairman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, it was an honor to stand with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in the Senate to unveil our package of legislation to provide sweeping improvements to Pennsylvania's child protection laws.

The 16-bill package implements changes recommended by the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection created by the passage of Senate Resolution 250 in December 2011. The panel held a series of public meetings and released its report in November 2012.

I am sponsoring two bills in the package:

Senate Bill 27 improves the exchange of child abuse information among medical practitioners and county children and youth agencies. Physicians and nurses are often the first to spot child abuse. Under this bill, a licensed medical practitioner who reports child abuse or a child needing protective services will be required to report relevant information to county services, such as relevant medication information regarding any other children in the child's household. Likewise, when an assessment, investigation or the provision of services is initiated by a county agency, that agency must notify the child's care provider of the reason for the action and a service plan developed for the child and the child's family.

Senate Bill 33 provides employee whistleblower protection for child abuse reporting. Sadly, fear of losing their job has been a reason for some citizens to keep suspected abuse to themselves. The bill will allow an employee to bring legal action for employment discrimination if they are a mandated reporter (required by law to report suspected child abuse); if the person acted in good faith; and if the person is fired or discriminated against in compensation, hire, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

The renewed focus on child abuse in Pennsylvania over the last year has provided a serious challenge, and opportunity, to help implement comprehensive reforms that will improve child protection. It's past time to update these laws for the 21st century.

The next step in the process will be an April 9 joint public hearing on the package by the Senate Aging and Youth Committee and the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Video and More Information