Pennsylvania Legislature Approves Creation Of Child Abuse Task Force

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The state legislature has approved the creation of a task force to study what changes should be made to state law in order to better protect children from abuse.

The state House voted to join the Senate in creating the child abuse task force but only after a lengthy debate. House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, an Allegheny County Republican, urged support for the panel designed to provide lawmakers with recommendations on how best to respond to issues raised by the Penn State scandal.

"Let's not politicize this. Let's get the task force in place."

But Democrats argued that the task force lacks teeth and House Democrat Michael Sturla protested that the panel will have until the end of next November to make its report.

"This has been part and parcel of what has been wrong with the way this administration does business here. Appoint a task force. Delay."

The House and Senate have approved a joint resolution which means the task force legislation does not need the governor's signature.