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

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6370 (2026)

 Voluntary or court-ordered services; findings of child abuse.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 6370.  Voluntary or court-ordered services; findings of child abuse.

(a)  General rule.--Based on the investigation and evaluation conducted pursuant to this chapter, the county agency shall provide or contract with private or public agencies for the protection of the child at home whenever possible and those services necessary for adequate care of the child when placed in protective custody. Prior to offering these services to a family, the agency shall explain that it has no legal authority to compel the family to receive the services but may inform the family of the obligations and authority of the county agency to initiate appropriate court proceedings.

(b)  Initiation of court proceeding.--

(1)  In those cases in which an appropriate offer of service is refused and the county agency determines that the best interests of the child require court action, the county agency shall initiate the appropriate court proceeding. The county agency shall assist the court during all stages of the court proceeding in accordance with the purposes of this chapter.

(2)  (i)  If the county agency deems it appropriate in a dependency or delinquency proceeding, including an instance in which the alleged perpetrator has access or poses a threat to a child, the county agency may petition the court under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters) for a finding of child abuse.

(ii)  If the court makes a specific finding that child abuse as defined by this chapter has not occurred, the county agency shall consider the court's finding to be a determination that the report of suspected abuse was an unfounded report. The county agency shall immediately notify the department of the change in the status of the report from an indicated report to an unfounded report. Upon notice, the department shall be responsible for expunging the indicated report consistent with the expunction requirements of this chapter.

(iii)  If there is a determination that the subjects of the unfounded report need services provided or arranged by the county agency, the county agency may retain those records only if it specifically identifies the report as an unfounded report of suspected child abuse.

(Dec. 16, 1994, P.L.1292, No.151, eff. July 1, 1995)

 

Cross References.  Section 6370 is referred to in section 6340 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1991–2024 · leading case: In the Int. of: La.-Ra. W., Appeal of: C.W., 266 A.3d 1071 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).
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In the Int. of: La.-Ra. W., Appeal of: C.W., 266 A.3d 1071 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). · cites it 4× “23 Pa.C.S. § 6370(b)(2)(i).[22] Trial Court Opinion, 4/22/21, at 38-39 (footnote omitted).”
In the Interest of: J.M., a Minor, 166 A.3d 408 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “The trial court, was authorized to make a separate finding of child abuse under the Child Protective Services Law, which provides that a local child services agency investigating child abuse may institute dependency proceedings in which it petitions for a finding of child abuse.”
In re B.R., 596 A.2d 1120 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “See 23 Pa.C.S. § 6370(a), Service for protection of child at home or in custody, (b) Intervention of court proceedings, and section 6371, Rehabilitative service for child and family.”
Matter of BR, 596 A.2d 1120 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “See 23 Pa.C.S. § 6370(a), Service for protection of child at home or in custody, (b) Intervention of court proceedings, and section 6371, Rehabilitative service for child and family.”
Carter v. Child & Youth Servs. (E.D. Pa. 2024). “) The Complaint further alleges that CYS’s “failure to explain that it had no legal authority” to compel services “violated 23 Pa.C.S. § 6370” and its refusal to amend the allegations that “seaweed milk” was fed to L.”
— 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6370(a) — 2 cases
In re B.R., 596 A.2d 1120 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “See 23 Pa.C.S. § 6370(a), Service for protection of child at home or in custody, (b) Intervention of court proceedings, and section 6371, Rehabilitative service for child and family.”
Matter of BR, 596 A.2d 1120 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “See 23 Pa.C.S. § 6370(a), Service for protection of child at home or in custody, (b) Intervention of court proceedings, and section 6371, Rehabilitative service for child and family.”
— 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6370(b)(2)(i) — 2 cases
In the Int. of: La.-Ra. W., Appeal of: C.W., 266 A.3d 1071 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “23 Pa.C.S. § 6370(b)(2)(i).[22] Trial Court Opinion, 4/22/21, at 38-39 (footnote omitted).”
In the Interest of: J.M., a Minor, 166 A.3d 408 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “The trial court, was authorized to make a separate finding of child abuse under the Child Protective Services Law, which provides that a local child services agency investigating child abuse may institute dependency proceedings in which it petitions for a finding of child abuse.”
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