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Penn State Administrative Policy AD72 requires all employees to report suspected child abuse. A second administrative policy AD39, defines AUTHORIZED ADULT (employees or volunteers, who work directly with minors) as MANDATED REPORTERS under Pennsylvania law. Both policies are shown below in more detail.
REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
Penn State requires all University employees who have reasonable suspicion of abuse to make a report. Failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action. Additionally, employees are required to complete mandated reporter training annually.
View Full PolicyMINORS INVOLVED IN UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED PROGRAMS OR PROGRAMS HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY AND/OR HOUSED IN UNIVERSITY FACILITIES
Authorized adults are individuals, paid or unpaid, who interact with, supervise, chaperone, or otherwise oversee minors in program activities, or recreational, and/or residential facilities. Authorized adults who suspect child abuse must inform their program director and make a report. Authorized adults, who will be participating in a program covered by this policy, shall attend mandatory training on the conduct requirements of this policy.
View Full PolicyWhat is Penn State's policy on background checks and self-disclosure of criminal charges?
All individuals working for/engaged by Penn State, including all Authorized Adults are required to have a current background check on record with the University at the time of hire and/or beginning work with minors.
In addition all Individuals working for/engaged by Penn State, including all Authorized Adults must self-disclose if
they are charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony of the types listed on the self-disclosure form. The
self-disclosure form must be completed within 72 hours of knowledge of the charge or conviction and reported to the
individual’s Human Resources representative.
--View Policies » .
Mandated Reporter: Pennsylvania law requires certain people to report suspected child abuse. These people are known as Mandated Reporters. By law, you are a mandated reporter if in the course of your employment, occupation, or practice of your profession you come into contact with children.
Authorized Adult: Individuals at Penn State, age 18 and older, paid or unpaid, who interact with, supervise, chaperone, or otherwise oversee minors in program activities, or recreational, and/or residential facilities. This includes but is not limited to faculty, staff, volunteers, graduate and undergraduate students, interns, employees of temporary employment agencies, and independent contractors/consultants. Authorized Adults are considered to be Mandated Reporters as defined by Pennsylvania law.
As a Penn State employee or as an Authorized Adult you are required, by policy or by law, to report suspected child abuse. In the next section, we will learn more about the penalties for failing to make a report.
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