6353.1 - Investigation. - Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 6353.1. Investigation. (a) General rule.--Upon receipt of a report under section 6353 (relating to administration), an investigation shall be conducted by law enforcement officials, in cooperation with the district attorney, and a determination made as to what criminal charges, if any, will be filed against the school employee. (b) Referral to county agency.-- (1) If local law enforcement officials have reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of initial review that there is evidence of serious bodily injury, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation committed by a school employee against a student, local law enforcement officials shall notify the county agency in the county where the alleged abuse or injury occurred for the purpose of the agency conducting an investigation of the alleged abuse or injury. (2) To the fullest extent possible, law enforcement officials and the county agency shall coordinate their respective investigations. In respect to interviews with the student, law enforcement officials and the county agency shall conduct joint interviews. In respect to interviews with the school employee, law enforcement officials shall be given an opportunity to interview the school employee prior to the employee having any contact with the county agency. (3) The county agency and law enforcement officials have the authority to arrange for photographs, medical tests or X- rays of a student alleged to have been abused or injured by a school employee. The county agency and law enforcement officials shall coordinate their efforts in this regard and, to the fullest extent possible, avoid the duplication of any photographs, medical tests or X-rays. (4) Law enforcement officials and the county agency shall advise each other of the status and findings of their respective investigations on an ongoing basis. Cross References. Section 6353.1 is referred to in section 6353.2 of this title.