In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation that will help ensure the protection of victims of sex trafficking and children at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation. These victims are some of the most vulnerable populations in Pennsylvania and their safety is paramount.
 
Inexcusably, we have seen too often health care providers fail to properly notify law enforcement or child protective services of mandated notification requirements. These include the treatment of underage children for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, abortions, or contraceptives. Checks by and inquiries to the Department of Health indicate these mandated notifications cannot be verified.  Measures to achieve certainty are needed and my bill aims to provide this.
 
My legislation will require every Department of Health inspection of health care centers to include a compliance review of records to assure child protective services or law enforcement were notified of children age 14 and under treated for STDs, pregnancy or an abortion. It will also require that forensic samples from abortions are preserved from mothers 14 years old and under, to preserve evidence of a potential sexual assault. There are increased civil causes of action for parents of children under the bill and violations of inspections by the Department of Health must be reported to the Pennsylvania State Police and Medical Licensing Board for investigation and potential criminal penalties and suspensions.
 
My legislation mirrors that of SB 515 from last session and will grow on the work the General Assembly has done in previous sessions to protect child victims of sexual assault and victims of human trafficking 
 
Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.