top of page
School

Other Model Legislation

Pennsylvania's Act 126
Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting Act: A Model for States

Pennsylvania’s Act 126 of 2012 offers a strong framework for child abuse training and mandatory reporting in schools. States looking to strengthen protections for students can adopt or adapt this model to improve educator training, accountability, and early intervention.

Key Provisions of Act 126

Act 126 requires all school employees who have direct contact with children to complete training every five years. The training must include:

  • How to recognize the signs of abuse and sexual misconduct

  • Mandatory reporting requirements under state law and the revised Educator Discipline Act (2014)

  • School district policies for reporting suspected abuse or misconduct

  • Maintaining professional boundaries and appropriate relationships with students

bottom of page