Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 49 - STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS-LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Section 49.55 - Immunity from liability
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6318 (relating to immunity from liability) a licensed professional counselor who participates in good faith in the making of a report of suspected child abuse, making a referral for general protective services, cooperating or consulting with an investigation including providing information to a child fatality or near fatality review team, testifying in a proceeding arising out of an instance of suspected child abuse or general protective services or engaging in any action authorized under 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6314-6317, shall have immunity from civil and criminal liability that might otherwise result by reason of the licensed professional counselor's actions. For the purpose of any civil or criminal proceeding, the good faith of the licensed professional counselor shall be presumed. The Board will uphold the same good faith presumption in any disciplinary proceeding that might result by reason of a licensed professional counselor's actions under §§ 49.52-49.54 (relating to suspected child abuse-mandated reporting requirements; photographs of child subject to report; and suspected death as a result of child abuse-mandated reporting requirement).
The provisions of this §49.55 issued under section 6(2) of the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act (63 P.S. § 1906(2)); and the Child Protective Services Act, 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 63; amended under section 6(2) of the Social Workers, Marriage Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act (63 P.S. § 1906(2)); and 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6301-6388.
This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 49.51 (relating to definitions relating to child abuse reporting requirements); and 49 Pa. Code § 49.79 (relating to mandatory reporting).
