FLAG Little League takes our players safety on and off the field very seriously. All FLAG volunteers are mandated reporters under Federal and Pennsylvania Law, "Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017" also known as SafeSport Act and Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL), Section 6311. FLAG volunteers are mandated to report any suspicion of Sexual or Physical Abuse against a child.
On this page you will find more information on how to report a suspicion of child abuse for both mandated reporters and any other adult.
GOOD FAITH PROTECTION
Under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL), Section 6311.4 Immunity from liability, as amended:
- Presumption of good faith.- For the purpose of any civil or criminal proceeding, the good faith of a person required to report pursuant to section 6311 (relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse) and of any person required to make a referral to law enforcement officers under this chapter shall be presumed unless actual malice is proven.
FALSE REPORTING PENALTIES
Under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL), Section 6311.4 Immunity from liability, as amended:
- False reports.- Any person who intentionally makes a false report of suspected child abuse against a school, private residential rehabilitative institution, detention facility, school employee, private residential rehabilitative institution employee or detention facility employee commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.
A false report is a report of child abuse and/or neglect that is made to the ChildLine, which is not true and is maliciously made for the purpose of:
- Harassing, embarrassing, or harming another person;
- Personal benefit for the reporting person in any other private dispute involving a child;
- Personal financial gain for the reporting person;
- Acquiring custody of a child.