Upper Bucks Today

HARRISBURG – Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) today announced the success of House Bill 321, known as the Enterprise Case Management Act, which passed the Children and Youth Committee unanimously. The bill, a part of Staats' efforts to enhance laws safeguarding children in foster care and adoption systems, is dedicated to the memory of Grace Packer, a 14-year-old girl tragically murdered by her adopted mother and her mother’s boyfriend.

"I am thrilled to see House Bill 321 officially pass committee," expressed Staats. "This is the first step in what I hope will be many in improving the laws we have in place to protect children who find themselves in the foster care or adoption system in Pennsylvania."

Staats emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, "Getting this system online will give Pennsylvania a central database for all 67 counties to use, providing up-to-date information on those who have been victims of or who have been convicted of child abuse, so that we can protect the victims and punish the abusers."

House Bill 321, which mandates the establishment of a statewide child abuse database under the Office of Children, Youth and Families in the Department of Human Services, is set to be operational by the end of the year. Notably, this database had received approval from the General Assembly back in 2014.

The bill has now advanced to the full House for further deliberation and consideration.

Representative Craig Staats, representing the 145th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, has been at the forefront of this initiative. For media inquiries, contact Joe Szymanski at jszymanski@pahousegop.com or visit RepStaats.com / Facebook.com/RepStaats.