Pa. Cons. Stat. » 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. (DOMESTIC RELATIONS) / Chapter 63
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6334.1 (2026)

 Responsibility for investigation.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 6334.1.  Responsibility for investigation.

The department shall establish procedures regarding the following different responses to address suspected child abuse and protective services depending on the person's allegedly committing the suspected child abuse or causing a child to be in need of protective services:

(1)  If the suspected child abuse is alleged to have been committed by a perpetrator, the appropriate county agency shall investigate the allegation as provided in this chapter.

(2)  If the suspected child abuse is alleged to have been committed by a perpetrator and the behavior constituting the suspected child abuse may include a violation of a criminal offense, the appropriate county agency and law enforcement officials shall jointly investigate the allegation through the investigative team established in section 6365(c) (relating to services for prevention, investigation and treatment of child abuse) and as provided in this chapter.

(3)  If the suspected child abuse is alleged to have been committed by a person who is not a perpetrator and the behavior constituting the suspected child abuse may include a violation of a criminal offense, law enforcement officials where the suspected child abuse is alleged to have occurred shall be solely responsible for investigating the allegation.

(4)  If a child is alleged to be in need of other protective services, the appropriate county agency shall assess the needs of the child as provided in this chapter.

(Apr. 7, 2014, P.L.388, No.29, eff. Dec. 31, 2014)

 

2014 Amendment.  Act 29 added section 6334.1.

Cross References.  Section 6334.1 is referred to in section 6340 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2020–2023 · leading case: S.F. v. Pa Dhs (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2023).
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Com. v. Kane, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “While the CPSL establishes joint investigative teams between county agencies and law enforcement officials for some reports of child abuse, see 23 Pa.C.S. § 6334.1(2), (3), such teams exist “to avoid duplication of fact- finding efforts and interviews to minimize the trauma to…”
S.F. v. Pa Dhs (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2023). “23 Pa. C.S. § 6334.1. In such circumstances, county agencies and the district attorney for the county where the alleged abuse occurred must convene a “multidisciplinary investigative team” that coordinates interviews with the alleged perpetrator.”
— 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6334.1(2) — 1 case
Com. v. Kane, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “While the CPSL establishes joint investigative teams between county agencies and law enforcement officials for some reports of child abuse, see 23 Pa.C.S. § 6334.1(2), (3), such teams exist “to avoid duplication of fact- finding efforts and interviews to minimize the trauma to…”
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