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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
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Judiciary Committee meets to approve child crime bills
HARRISBURG, Dec. 5 – House Judiciary Democratic Chairman Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, said the committee met today and reported out three bills to the House floor for full consideration.
“Two of the bills deal directly with bringing Pennsylvania in line with federal law designed to strengthen sex offender registration standards.
“We are hearing a clarion call to better protect our children from sexual predators,” Caltagirone said. “These bills put us into a position to act swiftly to close current loopholes and I am pleased we are doing so in a bi-partisan fashion.”
House Bill 1958, introduced by Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin, would bring the state into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, as well as close various loopholes in Pennsylvania’s sex offender registry law, called Megan’s Law.
Under the bill, Pennsylvania would adopt the comprehensive set of standards associated with the federal law. Sexual offenders would be required to:
· report any change in address, phone number, email address, job and educational status;
· verify the name of any location they will be staying at if away from their permanent address seven days or longer;
· provide advance notice of international travel at least 21 days before departure; and
· make all required reporting in-person at an approved registration site.
Caltagirone added the bill also places offenders into a three-tiered system based on the level of the offense. Those in Tier 1 must register for 15 years, Tier 2 must register for 25 years and offender in Tier 3 must register for life.
Also under the bill, loopholes in the state’s Megan’s law that were brought to light by recent court cases would be closed. Provisions include homeless or transient sex offenders who do not have a permanent address or technical residence would be required to register every 30 days as well as new provisions regarding out-of state offenders.
Caltagirone said the committee also approved Senate Bill 1183, a companion bill to H.B. 1958, introduced by Sen. Jane Orie, R-Allegheny\Butler. It is also designed to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the Adam Walsh Act as well as close Megan’s Law loopholes.
“We are in a position to bring Pennsylvania under a stronger, more unified reporting system,” Caltagirone said. “I fully support provisions in both bills and I feel children can and should be better protected from sexual predators.”
House Bill 1976, introduced by Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, would require that in the event of a personal injury case brought against a corporation it could only be done so in the county where the plaintiff resides, the county where the cause of action arose or the county where the corporation has its principle place of business.
The bills are now poised for consideration by the full House.
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