WASHINGTON PLEASED COMMITTEE SUPPORTS CHILD PROTECTION BILL

Washington

            HARRISBURG, November 20 — State Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) today said that she is pleased the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved her legislation that would further protect Pennsylvania children who are in foster and adoptive care.

Senate Bill 1147, which the senator introduced, would require FBI clearance background checks for all individuals who are applying to be foster or adoptive parents; anyone seeking to work in child care services; self-employed child care providers; and anyone over the age of 18 living in the home where a foster or adopted child resides.

It would also require that any person over the age of 18 who has lived outside of Pennsylvania within the past five years and is now living in the home where a foster of adopted child resides must get the child abuse clearance from those states when they resided there.

            “I am very pleased to see this important legislation considered and approved by the committee,” Washington said. “We must protect our children and that means requiring additional background checks for anyone who will be in direct contact with foster and adopted children in the home and in day care centers.”

As Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, Washington said she pledges to continue to seek ways to keep children safe.