Most states have laws that require people working in certain professions to report suspected child abuse – sexual or otherwise – to the police or to a state agency that is tasked with reviewing and forwarding abuse reports to local authorities. In some states, this requirement applies to everyone. Two Pennsylvania hospitals were recently cited by state health officials for failing to report sexual assaults to that state's ChildLine abuse reporting system.

When an organization is found to have violated a state law requiring it to report suspected child abuse to authorities, it's not uncommon for those in charge to look for scapegoats – employees who can be blamed for the organization's failures. Sometimes, it is not clear who is responsible within an organization for making that call. This can often result in an employee facing a disciplinary investigation and proceeding by their licensing entity. If you find yourself in the position of being targeted by your employer because of its failure to meet some legal requirements, contact the LLF Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team for help. We can be reached by phone at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.

Reporting Failures in Pennsylvania

According to the article, both Bryn Mawr Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania (both located in the suburbs of Philadelphia) failed to report separate instances of suspected sexual abuse involving patients under the age of 18. Both were cited by state health officials for violating Pennsylvania's child abuse reporting requirements as a result. Both hospitals have reportedly retrained staff on the state's mandatory reporting requirements and have agreed to monitor future cases for compliance.

Pennsylvania's Mandatory Reporting Requirements

Pennsylvania has mandatory reporting requirements that apply to all forms of child abuse, including sexual abuse. The requirements apply to people working in certain positions. Health care professionals, school employees, law enforcement personnel, public library employees, clergy, and foster parents are among those who are required by law to report suspected abuse. In Pennsylvania, reports are made to the state's ChildLine reporting system.

Other State Mandatory Reporting Requirements

Each state in the country, including the District of Columbia, has its own law that requires certain people to report suspected child abuse to authorities. The laws vary from state to state; in some states, such as Pennsylvania, the law only applies to people working in certain professions. In Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Wyoming, the mandatory reporting requirement applies to all adults.

Professional License Issues Resulting from a Failure to Report

Allegations that a licensed professional, such as a health care worker or teacher, has failed to make a required report of suspected child abuse can result in disciplinary action by the relevant licensing body. If you've been accused of failing to make a mandatory abuse report and are facing a disciplinary investigation that could affect your license, you need the help of an experienced professional license defense attorney.

The LLF Law Firm Can Help Protect Your License

The LLF Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team has helped thousands of professional license holders all across the US defend their licenses in disciplinary investigations and proceedings. Our experienced attorneys understand the standards and procedures that apply in these cases and are here to help guide you through what can be a very difficult time. We'll make sure you understand what's happening at each step of the process, and most importantly, we will fight for your rights and will vigorously defend you from misconduct allegations.

If you've been accused of professional misconduct, whether because someone failed to report suspected child abuse or otherwise, contact the LLF Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team for help. You can reach us at 888.535.3686 or by using our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.