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Orie, Rafferty Vote to Move Historic Jessica's Law Out of Judiciary Committee
HARRISBURG -- State
Senators Jane Orie (R-40) and John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44) voted today to move
Senate Bill 944, commonly referred to as Pennsylvania's Jessica's Law, out of
the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation, which the Senators jointly
sponsored, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly and now heads
for a Senate vote.
"Our package of bills would
create some of the toughest laws in the nation to protect children from sexual
assault and monitor sex offenders," Orie said. "It includes measures to
increase penalties for child rape, create Child Protection Zones, establish
penalties for harboring an unregistered sex offender and create forfeiture laws
for those convicted of sex offenses."
"This legislation is critical
to protecting children and ensuring that repeat offenders aren't released only
to abuse another child," Rafferty added. "It not only increases penalties for
those who prey on children but ensures that when sexual offenders are released
their whereabouts are known and monitored."
Senate Bill 944 would impose
a mandatory minimum of 25 years and up to 50 years imprisonment for a first-time
offender convicted of rape or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse involving a
child less than 13 years of age. It also imposes a minimum sentence of 50 years
to life imprisonment for anyone convicted of rape or involuntary deviate sexual
intercourse involving a child which results in serious bodily injury.
The bill contains additional
penalties for anyone convicted of knowingly harboring or aiding a sex offender
who has failed to register under the current requirements contained in Megan's
Law.
Other important provisions of
the bill would aid in monitoring the whereabouts of sexual predators and
prohibit their presence within close proximity to daycares, schools, and other
facilities where children traditionally congregate.
Sexually violent predators
would be required to wear a GPS transceiver upon their release from prison in
order for authorities to effectively monitor their movements at all times. A
forfeiture section was also added to Senate Bill 944, similar to the forfeiture
laws currently in place for narcotics offenders, that would allow the courts to
seize property or assets linked to the commission of the crime. Assets seized
would be used to offset the daily cost of monitoring sexual offenders, recently
estimated to be roughly $9 per day.
The measure also enhances the
current Megan's Law website and offender reporting requirements by mandating
more specific residence information on the website and shortening the time
permitted for an offender to register after his or her release or relocation.
"Today we have taken a small
step towards protecting the young children of this Commonwealth and
memorializing young Jessica Lunsford by advancing this legislation out of
committee," Rafferty said. "We want to send a very clear message to anyone who
intends to prey on children in Pennsylvania -- if you sexually assault a child,
be prepared to suffer very harsh consequences for your actions for the rest of
your life," Rafferty said.
"As a former prosecutor, I
have seen many cases where sexual predators are released only to abuse another
child -- so letting them out of jail only gives them a license to harm other
children," Orie said. "This bill not only increases penalties for those who
prey on children, it also ensures that if and when they are released their
whereabouts are known for the rest of their lives."
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