Children and Families
Crafting policies that support families, promote child safety and ensure stable communities.

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News

• Adam Walsh Legislation Passes Senate, Goes to Governor for Signature 12/14/11
• Ward's Task Force on Child Protection Approved by Senate 12/13/11
• Senate Endorses 'Adam Walsh' Child Protection Bill 11/15/11
• Senator Kim Ward Announces Legislation to Broaden Mandated Child Abuse Reporting at Institutions of Higher Learning 11/14/11
• Senator Browne's Concussion Bill Headed to Governor 11/1/11
• Senate Approves Tomlinson's Texting-While-Driving Ban, Sends Bill to Governor 11/1/11
• Senate Approves Senator Browne's Tanning Salon Bill 10/31/11
• Senate Judiciary Committee Amends, Passes 'Adam Walsh' Bill 10/25/11
• Senate Approved Greenleaf's Juvenile Justice Amendments 10/19/11
• Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Housing Needs, Affordability 10/4/11
• Committee Explores Changes to State Definition of Child Abuse 10/4/11
• Rafferty Bill Promoting Good Samaritan Behavior Headed to Governor's Office, Expected to be Signed into Law 7/1/11
• Senator Vogel's Bill to Ban Synthetic Drugs Signed Into Law 6/23/11
• Senate Passes Baker Bills to Bring Reforms to Juvenile Justice System 6/8/11
• Senate Approves Family Day Care Bill Sponsored by Piccola, Improving Safety Measures 6/7/11
• Senate Unanimously Passes Rafferty Bill Promoting Good Samaritan Behavior 5/24/11
• Senate Passes Legislation to Ban Sale of 'Bath Salts' 5/10/11
• Senator Vogel's Bill to Ban Synthetic Drugs Passes Senate 5/10/11

Legislation

Act 62 of 2011 allows a parent to request a "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth" from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre)

Act 9 of 2011 allows a licensed hunter with an antlered deer permit to give the permit to a young hunter who is participating in a mentored youth hunting program. Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chair Richard Alloway (R-Franklin)

Senate Resolution 250 creates the Task Force on Children Protection to conduct a sweeping review of Pennsylvania laws and procedures governing child protection and the reporting of child abuse. Senate Aging and Youth Committee Chair Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland)

Act 111 of 2011 brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and ensures the commonwealth meets national standards to strengthen sex offender registration and notification. Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny)

Senate Bill 227 requires all family day care providers in Pennsylvania to have liability insurance as a condition of their state certification. Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin)

Juvenile Justice Reform Package - Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne):
Senate Bill 815 Eliminates waiving counsel in juvenile delinquency hearings.
Senate Bill 816 Creates a victim advocate devoted to juvenile justice.
Senate Bill 818 Requires judges to state on the record the reasons behind disposition orders.
Senate Bill 817 Prohibits shackling of juveniles in the courtroom.

Senate Bill 850 amends state law to presume that all juvenile defendants are indigent in order to ensure each are represented by an attorney and offers juveniles the same protections whether they are tried in juvenile court or before a magisterial district judge for a summary offense. The bill also defines the crime of cyber bullying by minors. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)

Act 101 of 2011 increases awareness and prevention of traumatic head injuries among Pennsylvania's scholastic athletes. Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh)

Senate Bill 349 improves safety at tanning salons and requires parental consent for minors. Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh)

More News

• Committee Approves Juvenile Justice Bills 4/12/11
• Senate Committee Endorses Piccola Bill Improving Safety of Family Day Cares 4/6/11
• Brubaker Legislation Would Dedicate Funding to Food Banks 2/23/11
• Push Begins Anew For Juvenile Protection Laws 2/18/11
• Rafferty Bill Would Promote Good Samaritan Behavior 2/17/11