Governor Tom Corbett recently signed into law three bills that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s efforts to protect its children–Senate Bill 24, House Bill 89 and House Bill 316.

Of the newly enacted laws:

  • Senate Bill 24 (Vulakovich) creates a statewide database and allows for electronic reporting to facilitate mandatory reporting of child abuse.
  • House Bill 89 (Marsico) terminates the DARE Fund, supported by the sale of DARE license plates, and directs any further balance of that account be appropriated to the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency to award grants to Children’s Advocacy Centers during FY 2013-14
  • House Bill 316 (Harhart) establishes the Child Advocacy Center Advisory Committee that will approve and distribute grants to child advocacy centers (CACs) and multidisciplinary investigative teams (MDITs).