Local Lawmakers Laud Tougher Sex Offender Law

Local lawmakers lauded a measure Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Tuesday that will strengthen the state's rule on convicted sex offenders by imposing tougher reporting standards—one known as The Adam Walsh Bill.

The bill also closes loopholes in Pennsylvania’s current Megan’s Law that in the past allowed transient and certain out-of-state offenders to evade criminal prosecution by ignoring requirements for registering their home, school and work addresses with police.

“Megan’s Law is named for Megan Kanka, a New Jersey child murdered by a sexual predator. The Adam Walsh Law, as most everyone knows, is named for a Florida boy who was kidnapped at a department store and then murdered,’’ Corbett said. “Megan’s and Adam’s families advocated for the bills named for their children.”

The new law also brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act, which aims to coordinate efforts between states in monitoring and tracking sex offenders by making more information available on a centralized Internet database.

Additional information includes DNA samples, palm prints and fingerprints, passport and expanded vehicle information.

Juvenile offenders convicted of serious sex offenses, such as rape, will also now be included in the required registration process. While their information and photos will not be available to the public, it will be available to law enforcement officials.

The measure also broadens Pennsylvania’s law to make sexual contact with students and children carry a criminal charge of institutional sexual assault for volunteers, employees and other adults in a school or center for children. The new law will also expand Megan’s Law to prevent group homes from housing more than five sexually violent predators.

Reached Tuesday, , D-, lauded the law.

“I am pleased that we were able to add more teeth to the law that protects our children,” he said. “In light of recent events, it is imperative that we do everything possible, and adjust as necessary if and when loopholes arise.”

State , D-, said that while he is glad the bill was signed into law, he doesn't think it goes far enough—and the legislator said he plans to do something about it.

“While I am glad to see Pennsylvanians protected against sex offenders by making the necessary changes to come into compliance with the Adam Walsh Act, but we need to focus on confronting child abuse as it occurs, not just reporting it after the fact," he said. "That’s why I’m pushing for a full and completely independent and unbiased investigation into the and the plethora of unanswered questions about the seemingly lackluster investigation of ongoing horrific acts of sexual abuse of Pennsylvania’s children. We need to go after the truth, wherever it may lead.”

Editor's Note: Learn more and explore the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law registry online at www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us.