Effective December 31, 2014, Pennsylvania amended the state’s Child Protective Services Law and declared every “emergency medical services provider certified by the Department of Health,” all individuals who “accept responsibility for a child,” and all others who may have “direct contact with children” to be mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse. 23 Pa.C.S. § 6311. Under the changes to the Child Protective Services Law, all mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse must obtain criminal background checks and child abuse clearances. The amendments to the Child Protective Services Law require all prospective and current adults working in a paid or unpaid capacity “who have direct contact with children or who are responsible for the welfare of a child” (under 18 years of age) as well as all EMS providers (regardless of whether they are paid or unpaid) and other paid personnel to obtain both criminal background check and child abuse clearances once every 36 months. 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344.4(1)(i). “Direct contact with Children” is defined in the Child Protective Services Law as “the care, supervision, guidance or control of children, or routine interaction with children”.

23 Pa.C.S. § 6303.

These background checks are required for adults and are conducted to determine if a volunteer or employee has been convicted of any serious felonies or sex crimes, or has been identified as a perpetrator in a substantiated case of child abuse. 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344(c)(2). Also, any convictions of a drug offense within the past five years will also disqualify an individual from serving as a volunteer who works with children. 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344(c)(3).

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