Pa. universities OK child-abuse prevention policy

    Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities have a new policy designed to protect the safety of children on campus, a concern that arose as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.

     

    The board of the State System of Higher Education adopted a set of guidelines Tuesday that require staff and students who work with minors to pass a criminal background check and receive policy and issue training.

     

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    Some will also get training in first aid and in the detection and reporting of abuse or neglect.The new policy covers the system’s 14 universities and goes into effect in January, but training will start before that.

    Sandusky, a former Penn State coach, was convicted of abuse that included on-campus incidents.

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