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Senate Bill 428. SB 428 is Pennsylvania’s version of the Adam Walsh Act. This act makes offender’s lives considerably more difficult. In addition, it severely increases their registration periods. This piece of legislation will increase an offender’s registration period to a minimum of 15 years. On average most ten year offenders will be stuck registering for at least a 25 year period depending on their tier. This Bill needs to be aggressively scrutinized and opposed.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Jane Claire Orie 9400 McKnight Rd., LaCasa Blanca Building, Suite 105 , Pittsburgh, PA 15237, Phone (412)630-9466 Email: jorie@pasen.gov Home page: http://www.senatororie.com
House Bill 2002. HB 2002 entails that an employer’s address be posted on the Megan’s Law website. It is hard enough to find employment for offenders without them making it even more difficult.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Julie Harhart
2030 Center Street
Northampton, PA 18067
Phone (610) 502-2701 Fax: (610) 502-2704 Home Page: http://www.julieharhart.com
House Bill 989. HB 989 wants to put internet restrictions on sex offenders and make offenders register all their information (e.g., e-mail addresses). Not very realistic in an age that requires a computer for just about everything.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Steven J. Santarsiero
277 North Sycamore Street
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone (215) 968-3975 Fax: (215) 968-4674 Home Page: http://www.pahouse.com/santarsiero
House Bill 356. HB 356 requires GPS monitoring devices to be worn by certain sex offenders; increases sentences and registration requirements. This Bill is another example of an over-zealous law-maker attempting to win votes. It gives judges no discretion in their sentencing and mandates lengthy prison sentences ranging from 25 to 50 years incarceration for first time offenders.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. John D. Payne
250 West Chocolate Ave.
Hershey, PA 17033
Phone (717) 534-1323 Fax: (717) 534-1457 Home Page: http://www.reppayne.com
House Bill 484. HB 484 pretty much eliminates any type of pre-release for a sex offender currently incarcerated. This piece of legislation is specifically geared towards sex offenders and is solely met to keep them incarcerated.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Mark Longietti
2213 Shenango Valley Freeway
Unit 2-E
Hermitage, PA 16148
Phone (724) 981-4655 Fax: (724) 981-6528
Senate Bill 1231. SB 1231 is geared at making it a criminal offense for a homeless sex offender who fails to register for Megan’s Law. Another piece of completely irresponsible legislation that is geared at sending a sex offender back to prison. Perhaps finding shelter is more of a priority for them?
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Gene Yaw
330 Pine Street
Suite 204
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone (570) 322-6457 Email: gyaw@pasen.gov Home page: http://senatorgeneyaw.com
House Bill 344. House Bill 344 wants to remove the Statute of Limitations on a Civil Action against a sex offender. So, when an offender finally rehabilitates themselves and perhaps makes a little money; the victim can come back from the past, and for all practical purposes, sue the offender for everything they just worked for.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Louise Williams Bishop
1991 North 63rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Phone (215) 879-6625 Fax: (215) 879-8566 Home Page: http://www.pahouse.com/bishop
House Bill 1024. Wants to add additional registration requirements. Just what offenders needed the most; more registration requirements. When will they figure out that registration prevents absolutely nothing?
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Ronald G. Waters
6027 Ludlow Street Unit A
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Phone (215) 748-6712 Fax: (215) 748-1687 Home Page: http://www.pahouse.com/waters
House Bill 2082. This bill entails the State terminating the parental rights of a convicted sex offender. Another attack on an offender’s constitutional right to have a family.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Hon. Ronald G. Waters
6027 Ludlow Street Unit A
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Phone (215) 748-6712 Fax: (215) 748-1687 Home Page: http://www.pahouse.com/waters
What each individual needs to do:
Contact these legislators via phone and mail. Let them know the facts about these laws and why passing legislation like this is simply irresponsible.
Let them know how this piece of legislation affects you. Give them real-world scenarios. Let them know how it counter-acts your rehabilitation and reintegration back into society.
Contact your local district representatives to oppose these Bills. Advise them on passing responsible legislation that makes sense; not “feel good” legislation that accomplishes nothing.
Be brief, respectful, and to-the-point with these legislators. Tax-payers do not have the money to waste on frivolous legislation that truly fails to prevent sexual violence.
Back up your material with facts; not just conjecture. Do some research; quote from reliable sources. There are plenty of resources out there that will back up our position.
The aforementioned Bills are currently being considered. The time to attack these Bills is now; not later after they have already passed. There is no guarantee that these Bills will become law; however, there is a strong possibility that the majority of these laws proposed will indeed pass because of the political environment and societal ignorance to the subject matter. The time to act is now!
*Additional info can be found on: http://www.legis.state.pa.us should you require it.*
*If you require assistance on research please email reformpennsylvanialaws@yahoo.com*
