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HARRISBURG — A memo from two members of the state House shows they plan to establish a new commission on the child welfare system, patterned after a similar commission inspired by the notorious Kids for Cash scandal in Luzerne County.
The memo sent to lawmakers was crafted by Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Drums, and Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake. They are seeking co-sponsors on what’s been dubbed the Interbranch Commission on the Child Welfare System.
The commission would be made up of 17 members, representing all three branches of state government, the memo states.
It specifically highlights the rape and murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer as an inspiration for the commission.
Packer’s adopted mother, Sara Packer, recently pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without the possibility for parole. Packer’s boyfriend, Jacob Sullivan, was found guilty of raping and strangling Grace while Sara looked on. He was sentenced to death last week in Bucks County Court.
Previously, Grace Packer was sexually abused by her adoptive father, David Packer.
The life of Grace Packer serves as a “grim example” of what happens when a child falls through the system’s cracks, the lawmakers say.
“Young Grace’s short life had multiple contacts with the Department of Human Service and Children & Youth systems that should have protected her,” the representatives wrote.
Toohil and Boback’s proposed legislation would create a body that would “investigate and analyze” potential improvements that can be made to save more young people like Grace.
The commission will be based on the Interbranch Commission for Juvenile Justice, which investigated the juvenile justice system in the wake of Kids for Cash.
“That commission developed an extensive series of reform recommendations, the majority of which were implemented through legislation or by rule,” the representatives wrote.
It’s unclear when the proposed legislation will be brought up for a vote.
