Six bills designed to strengthen child abuse laws in Pennsylvania in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky and Catholic clergy molestation scandals have the unanimous approval of state senators.
The votes Wednesday send the bills to the House, while more bills on the subject are being considered by each chamber.
A task force issued detailed recommendations late last year, providing a blueprint for the bills.
The bills approved by the Senate would set broader, statewide rules for who is responsible for a child's welfare, who can be considered a perpetrator of child abuse and who must report a case of suspected child abuse to authorities.
Another bill would require medical professionals to report a case of suspected child abuse immediately to the county child welfare agency.
More NBC10.com stories:
