Marsico Legislation Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Awaits Governor’s Signature
HARRISBURG – Legislation aimed at helping the state develop methods to identify and determine appropriate responses to children involved in the child welfare system who are either victims of sex trafficking or who are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking is on its way to the governor’s desk, said Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), prime sponsor of the measure.
“The goal of this legislation is to protect children in Pennsylvania and ensure they are placed in situations that are both physically and emotionally safe environments for them,” Marsico said. “According to the Department of Human Services, the Commonwealth risks losing a portion of our federal foster care funding if the General Assembly fails to enact this measure to comply with federal law, which is why my
House Bill 1691 is so crucial.”
Marsico’s House Bill 1691 was put into amendment form by the Senate and was approved with the final passage of
House Bill 1603 in the House. House Bill 1603 will bring Pennsylvania into compliance with changes that have been made to the federal Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).
Marsico’s language in the bill will bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act. The purpose of the act is to help states develop methods to identify and determine appropriate responses to children involved in the child welfare system who are either victims of sex trafficking or who are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking. For example, under the act, child welfare agencies must report to law enforcement information about foster children who are victims of sex trafficking or who are at risk of becoming victims. Similarly, the county agency must also notify law enforcement if a foster child is missing from the home or is abducted. Law enforcement must notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The federal law also requires changes to the way in which permanency hearings are conducted under the Juvenile Act. The designation of Another Permanent Planned Living Arrangement, which is a designation indicating no permanent home has been found, has been eliminated for children under 16. In the case of foster children 16 and 17 years of age, a heightened level of case management review by the juvenile court is required. Part of the review includes the court’s inquiring about efforts on the part of the county agency to find a fit and willing relative for the child, as well as the child’s desired permanency goal.
House Bill 1603 passed the House unanimously on Monday and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
Representative Ronald Marsico
105th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RonMarsico.com
Media Contact: Autumn R. Southard, 717.652.3721
asouthar@pahousegop.com