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

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
 1   Designating the month of April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention
 2      Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, An estimated 546,159 children were victims of abuse
 4   and neglect in the United States in 2023, the most recent year
 5   for which there is national data; and
 6      WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, there were 4,756 substantiated
 7   cases of child abuse in 2024, with 60 children dying as a result
 8   of abuse; and
 9      WHEREAS, In 2024, 35,043 of the reports of child abuse in
10   this Commonwealth came from mandated reporters; and
11      WHEREAS, Child abuse crosses all racial, economic and
12   geographic boundaries and has reached epidemic proportions
13   across the nation and throughout this Commonwealth; and
14      WHEREAS, It is our responsibility as parents, friends,
15   neighbors, citizens and lawmakers to nurture and protect our
16   most precious resource, the children of this Commonwealth, so
17   that they are able to grow into healthy, well-adjusted and
 1   productive adults; and
 2      WHEREAS, Thousands of Pennsylvanians in schools, social
 3   service agencies, churches and neighborhood groups throughout
 4   this Commonwealth are working hard to nurture and support the
 5   victims of child abuse and prevent future abuse; and
 6      WHEREAS, In spite of the dedication and sacrifice of these
 7   individuals, much more remains to be done to guarantee a
 8   childhood free of abuse and victimization to every child in this
 9   Commonwealth; and
10      WHEREAS, As our knowledge about the prevention and treatment
11   of child abuse grows, we must provide support, information and
12   guidance to families in which child abuse may happen; therefore
13   be it
14      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
15   month of April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in
16   Pennsylvania; and be it further
17      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives continue to do
18   its part in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for
19   all children in this Commonwealth so that they have the
20   opportunity to grow up to be healthy and productive citizens;
21   and be it further
22      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the many
23   individuals and community groups and organizations who work
24   daily to treat and prevent child abuse in this Commonwealth and
25   urge all Pennsylvanians to do their part in preventing the
26   tragedy of child abuse.




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