(a) Information sharing.--In accordance with section 6340(a)(5.1) (relating to release of information in confidential reports), where a party seeks any form of custody, subject to the examination of the parties, the court shall determine:
(1) With respect to child abuse under Chapter 63 (relating to child protective services) or a child who is a victim of a crime under 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses) which would constitute abuse under Chapter 63:
(i) Whether the child is the subject of an indicated or founded report of child abuse.
(ii) Whether a party or a member of the party's household has been identified as the perpetrator in an indicated or founded report of child abuse.
(iii) The date and circumstances of the child abuse.
(iv) The jurisdiction where the child abuse investigation took place.
(2) With respect to child protective services or general protective services under Chapter 63:
(i) Whether a party or a member of a party's household has been provided services.
(ii) The type of services provided.
(iii) The circumstances surrounding the provision of services.
(iv) The status of services.
(v) The date the services were provided.
(vi) The jurisdiction where the services were provided.
(b) Cooperation.--The following apply:
(1) The Department of Public Welfare and the county children and youth social service agency shall fully cooperate with the court and assist the court in fulfilling its duties under this section.
(2) The Department of Public Welfare and the county children and youth social service agency shall fully cooperate with the governing authority in order to implement the provisions of this section.
(3) The governing authority shall develop procedures to implement the provisions of this section.
(4) As used in this subsection, the term "governing authority" shall have the meaning given to it in 42 Pa.C.S. ยง 102 (relating to definitions).
(Dec. 18, 2013, P.L.1167, No.107, eff. Jan. 1, 2014)
2013 Amendment. Act 107 added section 5329.1. See section 6 of Act 107 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability.
References in Text. The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.
Cross References. Section 5329.1 is referred to in sections 5328, 6340 of this title; section 6307 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Section 5321 - Scope of chapter
Section 5323 - Award of custody
Section 5324 - Standing for any form of physical custody or legal custody
Section 5325 - Standing for partial physical custody and supervised physical custody
Section 5326 - Effect of adoption
Section 5327 - Presumption in cases concerning primary physical custody
Section 5328 - Factors to consider when awarding custody
Section 5329 - Consideration of criminal conviction
Section 5329.1 - Consideration of child abuse and involvement with protective services
Section 5330 - Consideration of criminal charge
Section 5332 - Informational programs
Section 5333 - Counseling as part of order
Section 5334 - Guardian ad litem for child
Section 5335 - Counsel for child
Section 5336 - Access to records and information
Section 5338 - Modification of existing order
Section 5339 - Award of counsel fees, costs and expenses
Section 5340 - Court-appointed child custody health care or behavioral health practitioners