HB 2257 — An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in children and youth, providing for screening requirements.

PRINTER'S NO.   2954

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2257
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, SANCHEZ, KINKEAD, HILL-EVANS, KHAN,
        FREEMAN, DOUGHERTY, MERSKI, STEELE, HANBIDGE AND DELLOSO,
        MARCH 2, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MARCH 3, 2026


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
 2      act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
 3      welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in children and youth,
 4      providing for screening requirements.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby enacts as follows:
 7      Section 1.    The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known
 8   as the Human Services Code, is amended by adding a section to
 9   read:
10      Section 710.    Screening Requirements.--(a)   The department,
11   in consultation with each county agency as defined in 67 Pa.C.S.
12   § 7101 (relating to definitions), shall develop a trauma-
13   informed screening to identify a child who is a victim of, or at
14   risk of becoming a victim of, human trafficking involving sexual
15   servitude as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001 (relating to
16   definitions).
17      (b)   A county agency shall administer the screening under
18   subsection (a) to a child alleged to be a dependent child as
1   defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 (relating to definitions) with whom
2   the county agency has contact.
3      (c)   If a county agency identifies a child under subsection
4   (a) as a victim of, or at risk of becoming a victim of, human
5   trafficking involving sexual servitude, the county agency shall
6   connect the child with specialized programs and services
7   available under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3062 (relating to specialized
8   services for sexually exploited children).
9      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 90 days.




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