Bill Text: PA HB428 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: In child protective services, further providing for definitions; and providing for quality improvement of county agencies.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-13 - Referred to CHILDREN AND YOUTH [HB428 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB428-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 472
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 428 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY PETRI, FEBRUARY 13, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, FEBRUARY 13, 2009
AN ACT
Amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in child protective services, further
providing for definitions; and providing for quality
improvement of county agencies.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 6303(a) of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 6303. Definitions.
(a) General rule.--The following words and phrases when used
in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Accreditation." Recognition received by an entity,
including a county or private agency that the entity, county or
private agency maintains standards that affirm the caliber of
the services provided by the entity, county or private agency
and afford criteria by which the public may identify the
standards for efficient management and high-quality services.
"Accreditation agency." A nationally recognized child-care
and family-care service and behavioral health care accrediting
organization that promotes standards and champions quality
services for children, youth and families.
* * *
"Prevention service." A service for children and their
families which is primarily designed to prevent child abuse and
neglect, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, school
dropouts, truancy, violence and the need for out-of-home
placements.
* * *
Section 2. Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of Title 23 is amended
by adding sections to read:
§ 6350. County agency accreditation.
By January 1, 2010, county agencies providing child
protective services as defined in section 6303 (relating to
definitions) shall be accredited by an accreditation agency. The
department shall take appropriate action if a county agency has
not achieved accreditation by January 1, 2011.
§ 6350.1 Department accreditation.
(a) Accreditation.--By January 1, 2010, the department shall
be accredited by an accreditation agency.
(b) Grants.--The department shall make available grants from
an amount to be appropriated by the General Assembly for county
agencies and public and private agencies to obtain
accreditation.
(c) Annual inspections.--If a county agency or public or
private agency has been accredited by an accreditation agency,
the agency shall not be subject to the requirements of the
department prescribed in 55 Pa. Code § 20.31 (relating to annual
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inspection) unless deemed appropriate by the department.
Section 3. Section 6364 of Title 23 is amended to read:
§ 6364. Purchasing services of other agencies.
(a) General rule.--Any other provision of law
notwithstanding but consistent with sections 6361 (relating to
organization for child protective services) and 6362 (relating
to responsibilities of county agency for child protective
services), the county agency, based upon the plan of services as
provided in section 6363 (relating to county plan for protective
services), may purchase and utilize the services of any
appropriate public or private agency.
(b) Accreditation.--
(1) A public or private agency providing child
protective services to a county agency shall be accredited by
an accreditation agency. An agency receiving funds from the
department or a county agency to provide prevention services
shall also be accredited by an accreditation agency.
(2) A public or private agency shall receive
accreditation by January 1, 2010.
(3) If, after January 1, 2010, the agency has not been
accredited, the county agency shall not purchase the services
of the public or private agency.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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