In an article by Jonathan D. Silver, Pennsylvania's new 'Clean Indoor Air Act' effective September 11, 2008 is discussed.
As he writes it:
[The law] contains a provision which bans smoking in homes or vehicles that are used for "services related to the care of children and youth in state or county custody." This means that foster parents are bound by this law and cannot smoke in their home or vehicle if the foster child is present, and have to post "No Smoking" signs in their private residence.
The Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services expressed fears that this law could impose greater challenges in finding much needed foster families for children. While there is worry that there will be "disruptions" in the child welfare system, state Department of Public Welfare spokeswoman Stacey Witalec stated that there duty is to protect the health and safety of children in their care. A violation of the law can result in a $250 fine. Even though being a smoker does not automatically preclude someone from being a foster parent, some agencies have asked foster parents to sign a no-smoking pledge.
Click here for the full article: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 19, 2008
What do you think?
Monday, October 27, 2008
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