Testimony in a Pittsburgh trial of alleged sex abuse by a former public school police officer underscores the need for quick approval of legislation that requires school districts to report suspected abuse within 24 hours, state Senator Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, said.
Fontana said the reporting of abuse currently relies on a confusing patchwork of regulations that guide school officials when they believe there is a child-abuse incident. Under his bill, S 31, any school official would be responsible to report a case of suspected child abuse within 24 hours.
