Section 47.52. Suspected child abuse—mandated reporting requirements

(a) General rule. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6311 (relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse), licensed social workers who, in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of their profession, come into contact with children shall report or cause a report to be made to the Department of Public Welfare and to the appropriate county agency when they have reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of their professional or other training or experience, that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is a victim of child abuse.

(b) Staff members of public or private agencies, institutions and facilities. Licensed social workers who are staff members of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agency, and who, in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of their profession, come into contact with children shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person in charge when they have reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of their professional or other training or experience, that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is a victim of child abuse. Upon notification by the licensed social worker, the person in charge or the designated agent shall assume the responsibility and have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made in accordance with subsections (a), (c) and (d).

(c) Reporting procedure. Reports of suspected child abuse shall be made by telephone and by written report.

(1) Oral reports. Oral reports of suspected child abuse shall be made immediately by telephone to ChildLine, [phone].

(2) Written reports. Written reports shall be made to the appropriate county agency within 48 hours after the oral report is made by telephone and must contain, at a minimum, the information required by the Department of Public Welfare in 55 Pa. Code § 3490.18 (relating to filing of a written report by a required reporter).

The provisions of this § 47.52 adopted November 8, 1996, effective November 9, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 5435; amended November 17, 2006, effective November 18, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7022. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (258248) to (258249).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 47.52 issued under the Child Protective Services Law, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2); and section 6 of the Social Workers’ Practice Act (63 P. S. § 1906).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 47.51 (relating to definitions relating to child abuse reporting requirements); 49 Pa. Code § 47.56 (relating to confidentiality—waived); 49 Pa. Code § 47.57 (relating to noncompliance); and 49 Pa. Code § 47.79 (relating to mandatory reporting).