PENNSYLVANIA
Seattle PI
By MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State lawmakers began Tuesday to debate potential changes to how child abuse is reported, investigated and prosecuted in Pennsylvania, an effort that was launched after the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal exposed shortcomings in existing law.
The state House’s Judiciary and Children and Youth committees held a three-hour hearing that featured witness testimony from lawyers and doctors who served on the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection. The task force issued a detailed set of recommendations two months ago.
Legislative leaders said some of its suggestions are likely to pass quickly, while other proposals will need more time.
“There isn’t one easy answer, or one bill that will do it,” Children and Youth Committee chairwoman Kathy Watson, R-Bucks, said afterward. Her committee will meet again on the topic in two weeks, and the Judiciary Committee has a similar schedule. Senate leaders have said the issue is also among the priorities in that chamber.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.