# 23 Pa.C.S. § 6302: Findings and purpose of chapter

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6302

## Section

- **Citation:** 23 Pa.C.S. § 6302
- **Heading:** Findings and purpose of chapter
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Code / Title 23 / Chapter 63 / Section 6302

## Text

(a) Findings.--Abused children are in urgent need of an effective child protective service to prevent them from suffering further injury and impairment.

(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this chapter to encourage more complete reporting of suspected child abuse; to the extent permitted by this chapter, to involve law enforcement agencies in responding to child abuse; and to establish in each county protective services for the purpose of investigating the reports swiftly and competently, providing protection for children from further abuse and providing rehabilitative services for children and parents involved so as to ensure the child's well-being and to preserve, stabilize and protect the integrity of family life wherever appropriate or to provide another alternative permanent family when the unity of the family cannot be maintained. It is also the purpose of this chapter to ensure that each county children and youth agency establish a program of protective services with procedures to assess risk of harm to a child and with the capabilities to respond adequately to meet the needs of the family and child who may be at risk and to prioritize the response and services to children most at risk.

(c) Effect on rights of parents.--This chapter does not restrict the generally recognized existing rights of parents to use reasonable supervision and control when raising their children. (Dec. 16, 1994, P.L.1292, No.151, eff. July 1, 1995; Dec. 15, 1998, P.L.963, No.127, eff. Mar. 1, 1999) 1998 Amendment. Act 127 amended subsec. (b).

## Nearby sections

- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6301 Short title of chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6301.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6302 Findings and purpose of chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6302.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6303 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6303.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6304 Exclusions from child abuse.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6304.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6305 Electronic reporting.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6305.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6306 Regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6306.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6311 Persons required to report suspected child abuse.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6311.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6311.1 Privileged communications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6311.1.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6312 Persons encouraged to report suspected child abuse.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6312.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6313 Reporting procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6313.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6314 Photographs, medical tests and X-rays of child subject to report.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6314.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6315 Taking child into protective custody.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6315.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6316 Admission to private and public hospitals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6316.md)
- [23 Pa.C.S. § 6317 Mandatory reporting and postmortem investigation of deaths.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6317.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T23_C63_S6302. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.