49 Pa. Code § 40.202 - Suspected child abuse-mandated reporting requirements
(a)
General rule. Under 23
Pa.C.S. §
6311
(relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse), physical
therapists and physical therapist assistants 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 when the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has
reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of 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. Physical therapists and
physical therapist assistants 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 physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, 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, (800) 932-0313.
(2)
Written reports. Written reports shall be made within 48 hours
after the oral report is made by telephone. Written reports shall be made on
forms available from a county children and youth social service
agency.
(d)
Written reports. Written reports shall be made in the manner
and on forms prescribed by the Department of Public Welfare. The following
information shall be included in the written reports, if available:
(1) The names and addresses of the child and
the parents or other person responsible for the care of the child, if
known.
(2) Where the suspected
abuse occurred.
(3) The age and sex
of the subjects of the report.
(4)
The nature and extent of the suspected child abuse including any evidence of
prior abuse to the child or siblings of the child.
(5) The name and relationship of the persons
responsible for causing the suspected abuse, if known, and any evidence of
prior abuse by those persons.
(6)
Family composition.
(7) The source
of the report.
(8) The person
making the report and where that person can be reached.
(9) The actions taken by the reporting
source, including the taking of photographs and X-rays, removal or keeping of
the child or notifying the medical examiner or coroner.
(10) Other information which the Department
of Public Welfare may require under 55 Pa. Code (relating to public
welfare).
Notes
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