Pennsylvania HR 421: A Resolution designating the month of April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2950
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 421
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PUGH, PROBST, M. MACKENZIE, STAATS, HANBIDGE,
ANDERSON, RIVERA, KAUFFMAN, DALEY, GALLAGHER, KAZEEM,
OLSOMMER, CIRESI, COOPER AND MENTZER, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, MARCH 2, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 546,159 children were victims of abuse
and neglect in the United States in 2023, the most recent year
for which there is national data; and
WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, there were 4,756 substantiated
cases of child abuse in 2024, with 60 children dying as a result
of abuse; and
WHEREAS, In 2024, 35,043 of the reports of child abuse in
this Commonwealth came from mandated reporters; and
WHEREAS, Child abuse crosses all racial, economic and
geographic boundaries and has reached epidemic proportions
across the nation and throughout this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, It is our responsibility as parents, friends,
neighbors, citizens and lawmakers to nurture and protect our
most precious resource, the children of this Commonwealth, so
that they are able to grow into healthy, well-adjusted and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

productive adults; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of Pennsylvanians in schools, social
service agencies, churches and neighborhood groups throughout
this Commonwealth are working hard to nurture and support the
victims of child abuse and prevent future abuse; and
WHEREAS, In spite of the dedication and sacrifice of these
individuals, much more remains to be done to guarantee a
childhood free of abuse and victimization to every child in this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, As our knowledge about the prevention and treatment
of child abuse grows, we must provide support, information and
guidance to families in which child abuse may happen; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives continue to do
its part in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for
all children in this Commonwealth so that they have the
opportunity to grow up to be healthy and productive citizens;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the many
individuals and community groups and organizations who work
daily to treat and prevent child abuse in this Commonwealth and
urge all Pennsylvanians to do their part in preventing the
tragedy of child abuse.
20260HR0421PN2950 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26