{"id":375961,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-10T16:04:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T21:04:52","slug":"pennsylvania-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Pennsylvania\u2019s child abuse laws encompass physical, mental abuse, sexual assault or exploitation, and neglect of children under 18. These laws designate certain professionals as mandatory reporters, including healthcare providers, school employees, and clergy. Failure to report suspected abuse can result in fines and imprisonment, with severe penalties for repeated offenses or false reports. Reporting suspected abuse is crucial and protected under state law, ensuring the safety and welfare of children.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Pennsylvania child abuse cases are covered by both the family and criminal codes. The Commonwealth includes various types of violence or neglect committed against children under 18 years of age in its definition of child abuse.<\/p>\r\n

Child abuse includes acts of physical and mental abuse, sexual assault or exploitation, and child neglect. Physical abuse charges also often include assault and battery.<\/p>\r\n

State law also requires certain adults to be mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, report it to the Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families<\/a> (OCYF) right away.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania Child Abuse Statutes<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Child abuse laws vary by state<\/a>. In Pennsylvania, Title 23 primarily governs the legal framework for child abuse and neglect. This legal framework applies statewide, including regulations for the OCYF.<\/p>\r\n

The table below summarizes Pennsylvania’s child abuse laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Section<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Pennsylvania Statutes Title 23 Pa.C.S.A. Domestic Relations \u00a7 6303, et seq.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Definition of child abuse<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Section 6303(b.1) defines child abuse as the intentional, knowing, or reckless doing any of the following:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Causing bodily injury to a child<\/li>\r\n
  • Medical abuse, such as faking or intentionally inducing symptoms<\/li>\r\n
  • Causing serious mental injury<\/li>\r\n
  • Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation<\/li>\r\n
  • Creating a likelihood of sexual abuse or exploitation of a child through act or failure to act<\/li>\r\n
  • Specific acts such as kicking, biting, throwing, burning, stabbing, cutting, interfering with breathing, or other physical violence that endangers the child’s well-being<\/li>\r\n
  • Unreasonably restraining or confining a child<\/li>\r\n
  • Forcefully shaking a child under a year old<\/li>\r\n
  • Physical neglect or causing serious physical neglect of a child<\/li>\r\n
  • Leaving the child with a person other than the child’s parent who is known or should be known as a sexually violent predator or a sexual offender<\/li>\r\n
  • Drug exposure<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Mandatory reporters<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Pennsylvania state law<\/a> requires certain professionals to report suspected abuse and neglect. They often have direct contact with the child or are responsible for the child\u2019s welfare or medical care. The following people are mandated reporters<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n

Failure to report <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

The Child Protective Services Law in Pennsylvania provides fines and penalties for those who fail to report<\/a> suspected cases of child abuse or knowingly make false reports of child abuse.<\/p>\r\n

False reporting<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Intentionally making a false report is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to two years imprisonment and a fine of $5,000. <\/li>\r\n
  • Multiple false reports can lead to third-degree felony charges, with a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of $15,000. <\/b><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18, \u00a7 4304<\/a>: Endangering Welfare of Children<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

What Can CPS Do and Not Do In Pennsylvania?<\/h2>\r\n

County agencies responsible for Child Protective Services (CPS) in Pennsylvania work within defined legal boundaries<\/a>. For instance, they are able to:<\/p>\r\n