Act 47 of 2019 made federally mandated changes to the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) so that an employer at a child-care center, group day-care home or family child-care home cannot hire or approve an applicant as a volunteer that has been convicted of a felony offense under   2718 related to strangulation or under   3301 relating to arson; an offense related to Domestic Violence including 18 U.S.C.    2261 and   2262; the individual’s name appears on the state or National Sex Offender Registry; or the applicant’s name appears on the Statewide database as a perpetrator of child abuse. 
 

It has recently been brought to my attention, however, that these amendments found in Act 47 do not apply to applicants, volunteers or employees with other programs, activities or services (examples include sports teams or clubs) that interact with children. Therefore, you could essentially have someone unable to be an employee at a child-care center because they are on the child abuse registry but able to be a foster parent working with children. 
 

I will soon be introducing legislation that will Amend 23,  6344 to remove the “child-care center, group day-care home or family child-care home” language so that no one will be able to work or volunteer with children in any capacity with these additional offenses. 
 

I hope you will consider joining me in updating the Child Protective Services Law to prevent a potential predator from gaining access to our vulnerable youth.