January 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) From Megan's Law to federal charges involving child pornography, criminal statutes that govern child sex crimes come with severe punishments and potential lifelong consequences. In the aftermath of the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal, some legislators are proposing wider-reaching laws that would require all citizens to report suspected abuse.
A growing number of states have passed laws that require all citizens to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. In Pennsylvania, that legal duty is currently limited to certain professionals, including:
- Physicians, dentists, nurses and other health care professionals
- Members of the clergy
- Teachers, school administrators, social workers, and daycare and foster care workers
- Psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals
- Law enforcement officers and officials
On the federal level, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey has introduced the "Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act" to provide fiscal incentives for all states to enact laws that require reporting of child abuse or neglect by all citizens. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania legislators will soon debate whether to impose criminal sanctions on citizens who do not report their suspicions of child sexual abuse or child neglect.
Even some child safety advocates point out the shortcomings of such widespread reporting requirements. Mandatory reporting laws can create a tremendous burden on the public agencies that must investigate unfounded or untrue allegations. Limiting such requirements to professionals who have training to identify signs of abuse can lessen the chance of false accusations and destroyed reputations.
Individuals who find themselves the subject of a criminal investigation for child sexual abuse, child pornography possession or Internet sex crimes must understand their legal rights and criminal defense options. Based on the latest developments in the criminal code, Pennsylvania sex crimes lawyers can advise clients about a prudent legal response to volatile allegations.
Article provided by Shaffer & Engle Law Offices, LLC
Visit us at www.shafferengle.com
Proposed Changes to Child Sex Crimes Laws After Penn State Scandal
In the aftermath of the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal, some Pennsylvania legislators are proposing a law that would require all citizens to report suspected child abuse and neglect.
2012-01-02
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
The Estate Tax Portability Provision: Maximizing Your Tax Advantage
2012-01-02
In recent years, estate tax provisions have been particularly favorable to taxpayers. In fact, out of the last 75 years, 2011 will see the second fewest number of estates owing any federal estate tax, 2010 holding the overall low mark.
Yet, favorable tax provisions may not last indefinitely, and even if no tax is owed on an estate, you can be throwing money away if you do not file a tax return with the help of Grand Rapids estate planning attorneys. So why file an estate tax return if nothing is owed? A surviving spouse may be able to claim their spouse's unused exemptions ...
Greenville Legislator Proposes New South Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Law
2012-01-02
After any motor vehicle accident, a wide range of factors go into assessment of damages, and the determination is all the more complex if a person suffers a traumatic brain injury. Motorcycle accidents in particular are a common cause of serious head injuries, and a recent legal development in South Carolina seeks to mandate better protections for riders.
A bill currently before the South Carolina Senate would require every motorcycle rider in the state to wear a helmet. The proposed law, sponsored by Greenville Senator Ralph Anderson, would strike the language in the ...
OSHA Database Underreports Workplace Fatalities
2012-01-02
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the division of the U.S. Department of Labor charged with protecting the safety of employees in the workplace. OSHA's mission is to prevent construction accidents, industrial injuries, and other workplace accidents. It seeks to do this through setting and enforcing safety standards, designing and delivering education and training programs, and engaging in outreach activity.
Unfortunately, OSHA sometimes falls short of accomplishing its mission. For example, OSHA officials admitted in November 2011 that one of ...
Alaska's Internet Phone Service
2011-12-29
Alaska phone service has greatly improved in recent years thanks to the expanded availability of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. VoIP uses existing broadband Internet service to transmit voice communications, eliminating the need for a dedicated landline for telecommunications. Leading IP phone service providers NuOz Corporation explain that businesses and individuals in Alaska can greatly reduce costs while improving the functionality of their telecommunications by utilizing their Internet connection for all of their telecommunications needs.
Voice over ...
Deallinkup.com is Allowing Everyone to Participate in the Online Daily Deals Phenomenon.
2011-12-29
Deal Linkup is launching a website where individuals and businesses will be able to list and control their own deals.
Deal Linkup will be introducing a global website where individuals and businesses will be able to register and become sellers, listing their own daily deals. The seller will be able to select the duration of the deal, the minimum number of purchases required before the deal is active, the maximum number they would like to sell as well as many other features.
Online daily deals have been growing at an extraordinary rate and Deallinkup.com will allow many ...
Changes to California Probate Law Will Keep More Heirs Out of Court in 2012
2011-12-29
On January 1st 2012, new legislation will take effect designed to keep more estates out of the California probate court after an individual's death.
The new law, known as AB 1305, was signed by Governor Brown and increases the threshold value for formal probate proceedings from $100,000 to $150,000 and the threshold value for real property (i.e. pieces of land, simple homes and timeshares) from $20,000 to $50,000. According to Newport Beach probate attorney Darlynn Morgan, this is great news for individuals who die in California without significant assets.
"The ...
Bay Point Urgent Care Now Open
2011-12-29
Bay Point Urgent Care is now open. The urgent care center opened on Saturday, August 6th and is located at 1155 S. Dale Mabry Rd., across from the Publix shopping center. The hours of operation are Monday " Friday from 9:00am" 9:00pm and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00am" 6:00pm.
School sports physicals will be offered for only $10 through the month of August.
Bay Point Urgent Care provides walk-in care for minor injuries and illnesses. Conditions treated include ear and eye infections, fever, minor cuts that may need stitches, possible broken bones or simple ...
XBOSoft Hosts Sweden Seminar on Quality Assurance for Mobile Applications
2011-12-29
On December 15, XBOSoft, a global leader in software quality improvement services, hosted a seminar in the Bonnier Conference Center sharing its quality assurance (QA) experience for mobile software. Attendees had the chance to discuss with speakers and peers how to optimize their QA processes for the support of mobile applications.
Alan Trefzger, Senior Quality Consultant at XBOSoft, shared his experience in QA management and gave a presentation on Mobile Application Testing from which the audience could learn best practices on how to assure the quality of mobile applications. ...
Jolie embraces directing path, film gets nominated for Golden Globe award
2011-12-29
Initially spiking numerous controversies in Bosnia, Angelina Jolie's first ever directed debut film, "In the Land of Blood and Honey" is set to appear at the Golden Globes Awards after being nominated for 'Best Foreign Language Film' award. Standing as the film's writer, co-producer, and director, Jolie says she didn't plan on directing a movie. Not until she knew the gravity of the 1990 Bosnian war and felt the need to let the story be shown to her generation.
"This is my generation that went through this in Europe. So I read more and I learned more and ...
Author Maura Stone Will Appear on The Authors Show Radio Version on Thursday January 5, 2012
2011-12-29
Author Maura Stone will appear on The Authors Show radio version (http://www.wnbnetworkwest.com/WnbAuthorsShow.html) on Thursday, January 5, 2012 to discuss her award-winning, critically acclaimed comedic novel, "Five-Star FLEECING."
"Five-Star FLEECING" is an entertaining peek behind the scenes at avarice and greed in the corporate world. Witnessed through the eyes of Linda Lane, "Five-Star FLEECING" is a hilarious depiction of corruption in the glamorous world of luxury hotels. No one is immune in this comedy which dashes from celebrities ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of automated external defibrillators in private homes
University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences leadership publishes white paper on trauma-informed education
Microbial iron mining: turning polluted soils into self-cleaning reactors
Molecular snapshots reveal how the body knows it’s too hot
Analysis finds alarming rise in severe diverticulitis among younger Americans
Mitochondria and lysosomes reprogram immune cells that dampen inflammation
Cockroach infestation linked to home allergen, endotoxin levels
New biochar-powered microbial systems offer sustainable solution for toxic pollutants
Identifying the best high-biomass sorghum hybrids based on biomass yield potential and feedstock quality affected by nitrogen fertility management under various environments
How HIV’s shape-shifting protein reveals clues for smarter drug design
Study identifies viral combinations that heighten risk of severe respiratory illnesses in infants
Aboveground rather than belowground productivity drives variability in miscanthus × giganteus net primary productivity
Making yeast more efficient 'cell factories' for producing valuable plant compounds
Aging in plain sight: What new research says the eyes reveal about aging and cardiovascular risk
Child welfare system involvement may improve diagnosis of developmental delays
Heavier electric trucks could strain New York City’s roads and bridges, study warns
From womb to world: scientists reveal how maternal stress programs infant development
Bezos Earth Fund grants $2M to UC Davis and American Heart Association to advance AI-designed foods
Data Protection is transforming humanitarian action in the digital age, new book shows
AI unlocks the microscopic world to transform future manufacturing
Virtual reality helps people understand and care about distant communities
Optica Publishing Group announces subscribe to open pilot for the Journal of the Optical Society of America B (JOSA B)
UNF partners with Korey Stringer Institute and Perry Weather to open heat exercise laboratory on campus
DNA from Napoleon’s 1812 army identifies the pathogens likely responsible for the army’s demise during their retreat from Russia
Study suggests two unsuspected pathogens struck Napoleon's army during the retreat from Russia in 1812
The 25-year incidence and progression of hearing loss in the Framingham offspring study
AI-driven nanomedicine breakthrough paves way for personalized breast cancer therapy
Fight or flight—and grow a new limb
Augmenting electroencephalogram transformer for steady-state visually evoked potential-based brain–computer interfaces
Coaches can boost athletes’ mental toughness with this leadership style
[Press-News.org] Proposed Changes to Child Sex Crimes Laws After Penn State ScandalIn the aftermath of the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal, some Pennsylvania legislators are proposing a law that would require all citizens to report suspected child abuse and neglect.