PENNSYLVANIA
Patriot-News
By Patriot-News Op-Ed
on August 04, 2013
By Wayne Fontana
Testimony from the trial in Pittsburgh involving alleged child abuse by a former Pittsburgh Public Schools police officer underscores the need for better safeguards for our children and clearer reporting procedures for school officials if they suspect child abuse.
That is the goal of my legislation that would require school district authorities to report possible child abuse to authorities within 24 hours.
My bill would remove the current confusing patchwork of reporting requirements involving school officials when they believe there are instances of child abuse in school. My legislation makes all school officials mandated reporters of suspected child abuse.
Witnesses at the trial testified that they were abused by the former school police officer on school premises as far back as 1998, yet no student came forward with abuse allegations at that time.
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