The study examined these two related issues by designing an approach for assessing official policies, procedures, and practices that relate to the investigation of an accusation of child abuse. The study components included a review of the laws of other States pertinent to this issue, a literature review, statewide focus groups and county survey, and a prospective study. Information from the county survey and prospective study suggest that knowingly false and malicious reporting is considered a problem that affects service delivery in children and youth agencies, is often believed to be on the increase, and occurs frequently enough to warrant close cooperative attention by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the county agencies. Additionally, the complicating and perhaps extenuating factors that characterize it require an informed systematic response that should be directed by the Office of Children, Youth, and Families. The recommendations offered in this report do not create additional, major fiscal or administrative burdens. 4 tables, 48 figures, and 10 attachments