§ 6502 — Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Child abuse."Child abuse as defined in section 6303(b) (relating to definitions).

"County agency"or"agency."County agency as defined in section 6303(a) (relating to definitions).

"Department."The Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth.

"Emergency services provider."An emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or a paramedic as defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 8103 (relating to definitions).

"Health care provider."A person who is licensed or certified by the laws of this Commonwealth to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. For purposes of accepting a newborn as provided in section 6504(a)(1) (relating to accepting newborns) and for immunity provided pursuant to section 6507 (relating to immunity), the term includes administrative, managerial and security personnel and any other person employed by a hospital or urgent care center.

"Hospital."An institution having an organized medical staff which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of physicians, diagnostic and therapeutic services or rehabilitation services for the care or rehabilitation of people who are injured, disabled, pregnant, diseased, sick or mentally ill. The term includes facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders within the scope of specific medical specialties, but not facilities caring exclusively for people with mental illness or those facilities primarily engaged in providing rehabilitation services or long-term care.

"Newborn."A child less than 28 days of age as reasonably determined by a physician.

"Police department."A public agency of a political subdivision having general police powers and charged with making arrests in connection with the enforcement of criminal or traffic laws.

"Police officer."A full-time or part-time employee assigned to criminal or traffic law enforcement duties of a police department of a county, city, borough, town or township. The term also includes a member of the State Police Force.

"Police station."The station or headquarters of a police department or a Pennsylvania State Police station or headquarters.

"Urgent care center."As defined in section 2 of the act of November 2, 2016 (P.L.976, No.122), known as the Safe Emergency Prescribing Act.

Legislative History

(July 2, 2014, P.L.843, No.91, eff. 60 days; Dec. 22, 2017, P.L.1219, No.68, eff. 60 days; Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1124, No.134, eff. 60 days) 2024 Amendment.Act 134 amended the defs. of "department" and "health care provider" and added the def. of "urgent care center." 2017 Amendment.Act 68 added the def. of "emergency services provider." 2014 Amendment.Act 91 amended the def. of "health care provider" and added the defs. of "police department," "police officer" and "police station." Referencesin Text.The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014. Section 6303(b), referred to in the def. of "child abuse," was deleted by Act 108 of 2013. Cross References.Section 6502 is referred to in sections 6303, 6315 of this title; section 4306 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses).