Presented by Safe Schools Office-PDE
To PAPSA on April 18, 2013
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1,016 cases of physical injury to children
from birth to age 17 were substantiated
20 cases of mental injury to children from
birth to age 17 were substantiated
2,691 cases of sexual abuse to children
from birth to age 17 were substantiated
150 cases of neglect of children from birth
to age 17 were substantiated.
Amended June 6,2012
 In effect January 2,2013
Requirements of the Act:
 All school entities must train their employees on how
to recognize and report child abuse and sexual
misconduct
 All school entities must train their employees on how
to maintain professional relationships
 All school entities must familiarize their employees
on their policies and practices related to the above.
 All school entities must familiarize their employees
with provisions of the Professional Educator
Misconduct Act and its reporting requirements
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Training Requirements
Minimum of 3 hours of training/5yrs
Independent providers
Professionals can receive credit toward
continuing ed. requirement.
Training providers for Act 48 continuing
education credit must be approved by PDE
and Dept. of Pubic Welfare
PDE recommendation: initial training be
completed by 12/31/13.
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Professional employees of a school entity:
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Classroom teachers
Administrators
Nurses
Guidance counselors
Therapists
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Bus drivers
Custodial staff
Cafeteria staff
Maintenance staff
Noncertified employees of a school entity:
All employees of an independent contractor or a school
entity:
o Physical/speech/occupational therapists
o Bus drivers
◦ Summer workers- if sustained contact with students
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All employees of a school entity:
◦ public schools
◦ charter schools
◦ cyber charter schools
◦ private schools
◦ nonpublic schools
◦ intermediate units
◦ area vocational-technical school, who have direct
contact with children.
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Direct contact with children is defined
as “the possibility of care, supervision,
guidance or control of children or
routine interaction with children.”
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Volunteers
Student Teachers
Volunteers and student teachers are NOT
specifically addressed in the Act as required
to receive Act 126 training.*
*PDE recommends that school entities check with their solicitor
regarding these groups as they are treated similar to employees
in other sections of the Public School Code of 1949.
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Recognition of the signs of abuse, as defined in the Child
Protective Services Law;
Recognition of the signs of sexual misconduct, as defined in
this Act;
Reporting requirements for suspected abuse and sexual
misconduct in the Commonwealth, including those set forth
in the Child Protective Services Act and the Professional
Educator Discipline Act;
Provisions of the Professional Educator Discipline Act (24 P.S.
§2070.1a et seq.), including mandatory reporting
requirements;
School entity's policies related to reporting of suspected
abuse and sexual misconduct; AND
Maintenance of professional and appropriate relationships
with students.
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Sexual misconduct" – Any act, including, but not limited
to, any verbal, nonverbal, written or electronic
communication or physical activity, directed toward or
with a child or student that is designed to establish a
romantic or sexual relationship with the child or
student.
Such acts include, but are not limited to:
 (1) Sexual or romantic invitation.
 (2) Dating or soliciting dates.
 (3) Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog.
 (4) Making sexually suggestive comments.
 (5) Self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual,
romantic or erotic nature.
 (6) Any sexual, indecent, romantic or erotic contact with
the child or student.
School entities have choices when it
comes to training their employees:
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They can train their employees using their
own training model without PDE approval IF
they do not award Act 48 credit
If they want to award act 48 credit, they can
submit their training model to PDE for
review and approval
They can choose a PDE approved provider
AND award Act 48 credit
PDE Approved Act 48 Providers
PA Family Support Alliance (FSA)
717-238-0937
 PA Coalition Against Rape
717-728-9740
 Adams County Children's Advocacy Center
717-337-9888
 PA Chapter of Pediatrics--for medical
personnel only
 ED Training Center-877-844-0713
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Thank you!
Dr. Joe Loccisano
jloccisano@pa.gov
717-346-4253