Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB515

Introduced
3/15/23  

Caption

Further providing for definitions and for sexual assault evidence collection program; and providing for noncompliance.

Impact

The bill mandates that health care facilities must conduct compliance reviews during routine inspections to ensure that reports of suspected child abuse are promptly filed with the appropriate authorities. If a health care facility fails to notify child protective services or law enforcement about suspected abuse, it opens itself to civil litigation from the victim's family and possible criminal penalties for willful noncompliance. This change aims to enhance protections for children and hold institutions accountable for failing to act appropriately in suspected abuse cases.

Summary

Senate Bill 515 (SB515), introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, amends existing legislation related to the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act. The bill's primary aim is to strengthen the reporting and compliance requirements concerning suspected sexual abuse or exploitation, particularly focusing on minors. It establishes a more rigorous framework for health care facilities to document and report instances of such abuse and emphasizes the importance of timely reporting to child protective services and law enforcement agencies.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB515 has been largely supportive, with advocates highlighting the need for stronger protections for minors against sexual abuse. Proponents of the bill argue that it improves the safety nets for vulnerable populations and fosters a culture of accountability within health care settings. However, concerns have arisen among some stakeholders regarding the rigorous enforcement provisions, with apprehensions that they may inadvertently increase the administrative burden on health care providers and lead to potential legal challenges against institutions over compliance failures.

Contention

A notable point of contention in the discussions around SB515 revolves around the balance between ensuring child safety and maintaining operational feasibility for health care providers. Critics argue that the increased compliance requirements may lead to a more punitive environment rather than fostering a supportive one for victims. Legislators must consider how to effectively implement these measures without detracting from the overall mission of health care facilities to provide care and support to all patients. The debate underscores the complexities involved in legal reforms aimed at addressing sensitive issues such as child protection.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB579

Further providing for definitions and for sexual assault evidence collection program.

PA HB2088

Further providing for definitions and for sexual assault evidence collection program.

PA HB2243

Further providing for definitions, for sexual assault evidence collection program and for rights of survivors of sexual assault.

PA SB920

Further providing for definitions; providing for sexual assault evidence tracking system; further providing for rights of sexual assault victims and for report by Pennsylvania State Police; and providing for waiver for victim.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB2622

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for confidentiality of records; and providing for abuse and neglect registry.

PA SB1299

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for victim protection during prosecution and for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; in sex trafficking and missing and abducted children, further providing for county responsibilities; in juvenile matters, further providing for dependency in lieu of delinquency; and making an editorial change.

PA SB143

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for victim protection during prosecution and for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; in sex trafficking and missing and abducted children, further providing for county responsibilities; in juvenile matters, further providing for dependency in lieu of delinquency; and making an editorial change.

PA HB2621

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for duties of department and agencies; and providing for registration of abuse and neglect perpetrators.

PA HB1279

In sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for scope of article, for definitions, for education program and for follow-up and providing for staff training and for enforcement and penalties; in postsecondary institution sexual harassment and sexual violence policy and online reporting system, further providing for definitions, for policy for postsecondary institution sexual harassment and sexual violence and for online reporting system, providing for sexual misconduct climate surveys, establishing the Task Force on Postsecondary Sexual Misconduct and providing for confidential resource advisors, for waivers for student victims, for data reporting requirements and for enforcement and penalties; and making editorial changes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.