HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — In the wake of recent alleged child abuse cases, a new bill is set to fill the gaps in Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting laws.
House Bill 2474 passed unanimously through the state House and Senate, moving to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for final approval.
If signed into law, the bill would specify that mandated reporters must report any incidents of child-on-child abuse, including hazing and the unlawful dissemination of intimate images.
The amendments would also address the dissemination of sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes.
Rep. Nikki Rivera, the bill’s primary sponsor, pushed for change after multiple instances where school officials were aware of reported abuse but failed to immediately notify law enforcement.
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“This legislation is a commonsense, urgently necessary step that clarifies mandated reporters’ responsibilities, supports investigators’ efforts to track down perpetrators and reinforces our commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of every student in Pennsylvania,” Rivera said in a release.