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Quinn signs law to protect young people from abuse

By WEEK Reporter

Quinn signs law to protect young people from abuse

June 27, 2012 Updated Jun 27, 2012 at 10:20 AM CDT

CHICAGO, Ill -- Governor Pat Quinn signed a law that will help further protect children and young people from sex abuse and child abuse on Wednesday.

House Bill 3887 requires coaches and university employees to report cases of abuse.  The legislation was introduced to prevent a scandal in Illinois similar to what happened at Penn State University.  The legislation passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously.

"Young people place their trust in coaches and university officials, and it is their responsibility to report any suspected abuse," Quinn said.  "This is an important law that will continue to protect our children and youth."

Legislation has been in the works since the national media coverage of the Penn State Scandal and the claims of a cover up that followed.

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