PA House approves child abuse bills and sends them to Senate

(Harrisburg) --The state House is sending the Senate several bills aimed at improving the safety of children.

The House has voted unanimously to help set up child advocacy centers, make judges more aware when a child has been the subject of a protection from abuse order, and make it a separate crime to intimidate or retaliate against a witness, victim or reporter of child abuse.

Current Pennsylvania law applies only to witnesses and victims in a criminal investigation. The new law would apply in noncriminal investigations.

The proposals are in response to the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection's recommendations in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.

The child advocacy centers would be funded by a $15 fee from criminal defendants.