|
For Immediate
Release
3/18/08
Contact:
Austin O'Neill
aoneill@pasen.gov
(717) 787-5490
 
Senator Eichelberger
Introduces 'Child Rapist and Sexual Predator Detection Act'
Challenges health care
practitioners to report evidence of abuse or be held liable
Harrisburg, PA - Tuesday, March 18, 2008, Senator John H.
Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) held a joint news conference
introducing a bill to strengthen laws against child rapists
and sexual predators.
The 'Child Rapist and Sexual Predator Detection Act'
strengthens reporting requirements for health care providers
who discover evidence of sexual activity such as sexual
abuse, sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy, in boys
or girls age 12 or younger.
"Some health care providers have found a way
to circumvent the current mandatory reporting requirement by
failing to report treatment of children under the age of 13.
It is illegal in Pennsylvania to have sex with a child age
12 or under. Any girl of this age being given any form of
prenatal care is presenting evidence that a felonious sex
crime has been committed. Some health care providers are
blatantly disregarding the law and exposing children to
continued sexual abuse," Senator Eichelberger says.
The bill would require health care practitioners to prove
that a child is 13 years old or older by obtaining credible
written evidence. If the child is under the age of 13,
reporting to the Child Predator Unit of the Attorney
General's Office and the county child service agency would
be required. Any individual who willfully fails to comply
with a requirement in this legislation could face charges
ranging from second and third degree misdemeanors to a
felony. The health care practitioner could also be held
civilly liable for any damages suffered by the child from
the continued rape or sexual abuse caused by their failure
to report this information.
Senator John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44) is the first
co-sponsor of the bill. Rep. Tom Yewcic (D-72) introduced
the bill in the House of Representatives.
 Print this page
E-mail
this page
Back |
