PRINTER'S NO. 1804
No. 1457 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY BEYER, BARRAR, BELFANTI, CARROLL, CLYMER, DeLUCA, DePASQUALE, FREEMAN, GEIST, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HARKINS, M. KELLER, KORTZ, MANN, McCALL, McILHATTAN, MELIO, MOYER, MURT, READSHAW, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, J. TAYLOR, THOMAS, WATSON AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 5, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 5, 2007
AN ACT 1 Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the 2 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for 3 registration of domestic violence predators; establishing the 4 Domestic Violence Predator Assessment Board; and imposing 5 powers and duties on the Pennsylvania State Police and on the 6 Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. 7 It is the intention of the General Assembly that this act be 8 known as Robin's Law. 9 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 10 hereby enacts as follows: 11 Section 1. Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated 12 Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read: 13 CHAPTER 96 14 REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREDATORS 15 Sec. 16 9601. Scope of chapter. 17 9602. Definitions. 18 9603. Registration of certain offenders for ten years.
1 9604. Designation of domestic violence predators. 2 9605. Other registration requirements. 3 9606. Verification of residence. 4 9607. Victim notification. 5 9608. Immunity for good faith conduct. 6 9609. Duties of Pennsylvania State Police. 7 9610. Duties of Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. 8 9611. Board. 9 9612. Domestic violence predators. 10 9613. Exemption from notification. 11 § 9601. Scope of chapter. 12 This chapter relates to registration of domestic violence 13 criminal offenders. 14 § 9602. Definitions. 15 The following words and phrases when used in this chapter 16 shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 17 context clearly indicates otherwise: 18 "Board." The Domestic Violence Predator Assessment Board 19 established in section 9611 (relating to board). 20 "Conviction." An adjudication of guilt by a court of 21 competent jurisdiction whether upon a verdict or plea of guilty 22 or plea of nolo contendere, notwithstanding a pending appeal or 23 habeas corpus proceeding arising from the adjudication. 24 "Domestic violence offense." An offense, under the laws of 25 this Commonwealth or any other jurisdiction: 26 (1) an element of which is the use or attempted use of 27 physical force; 28 (2) which is punishable by a term of imprisonment 29 exceeding two years; and 30 (3) which was committed by: 20070H1457B1804 - 2 -
1 (i) the current or former spouse, parent or guardian 2 of the victim; 3 (ii) an individual with whom the victim shares a 4 child in common; 5 (iii) an individual who cohabits with or has 6 cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent or 7 guardian; or 8 (iv) an individual similarly situated to a spouse, 9 parent or guardian of the victim. 10 The relationship specified in this paragraph need not be an 11 element of the offense to meet the requirements of this 12 definition. 13 The term includes an attempt, a solicitation or a conspiracy to 14 commit the offense. 15 "Domestic violence predator." An individual who: 16 (1) has been convicted of a domestic violence offense; 17 and 18 (2) is determined to be a domestic violence predator 19 under section 9604 (relating to designation of domestic 20 violence predators) due to a mental abnormality or 21 personality disorder which makes the individual likely to 22 engage in predatory domestic violence offenses. 23 "Mental abnormality." A congenital or acquired condition of 24 an individual which affects the emotional or volitional capacity 25 of the individual in a manner as to predispose the individual to 26 commit violent criminal offenses to a degree which makes the 27 individual a menace to the health and safety of other persons. 28 "Municipality." A city, borough, incorporated town or 29 township. 30 "Personality disorder." A personality disorder as defined in 20070H1457B1804 - 3 -
1 the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of 2 Mental Disorders adopted by the American Psychiatric 3 Association. 4 "Predatory." Directed at an individual with whom a 5 relationship has been established or promoted for the primary 6 purpose of victimization. 7 § 9603. Registration of certain offenders for ten years. 8 (a) Requirement.--Except as set forth in subsection (b): 9 (1) An individual convicted of a domestic violence 10 offense shall register a current address with the 11 Pennsylvania State Police upon: 12 (i) release from incarceration; 13 (ii) parole from a State or county correctional 14 facility; or 15 (iii) commencement of a sentence of intermediate 16 punishment or probation. 17 (2) The period of registration shall be ten years. 18 (b) Exceptions.-- 19 (1) Subsection (a) does not apply to an individual 20 incarcerated in a maximum or medium correctional facility of 21 the Department of Corrections, a private correctional 22 facility or a correctional facility of another jurisdiction. 23 This exception ends upon release. 24 (2) Subsection (a) does not apply to an individual 25 required to register under Subchapter H of Chapter 97 26 (relating to registration of sexual offenders). 27 (c) Registration information.--The Pennsylvania State Police 28 shall provide the information obtained under sections 9605 29 (relating to other registration requirements) and 9606 (relating 30 to verification of residence) and this section and the address 20070H1457B1804 - 4 -
1 at which the offender will reside after release from 2 incarceration, parole or probation to the chief law enforcement 3 officer of the police department of the municipality in which 4 the offender will reside. 5 § 9604. Designation of domestic violence predators. 6 (a) Order for assessment.--Before sentencing, the court 7 shall order a person convicted of a domestic violence offense to 8 be assessed by the board. 9 (b) Presumption.--There shall be a presumption that an 10 offender convicted of a domestic violence offense shall be 11 presumed by the board to be a domestic violence predator. The 12 presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence at 13 a hearing held under subsection (e). 14 (c) Assessment.--The board shall conduct an assessment of 15 the offender to determine if the offender is a domestic violence 16 predator. Such an assessment shall include, but not be limited 17 to, the following: 18 (1) Age of the offender. 19 (2) Offender's prior criminal record and domestic 20 violence offenses as well as any other offenses. 21 (3) Age of the victim. 22 (4) Whether the domestic violence offense involved 23 multiple victims. 24 (5) Use of illegal drugs by the offender. 25 (6) Whether the offender completed any prior sentence 26 and participated in a program for violent offenders. 27 (7) Mental illness or mental disability of the offender. 28 (8) The nature of the violent contact with the victim 29 and whether the contact was part of a demonstrated pattern of 30 abuse. 20070H1457B1804 - 5 -
1 (9) Whether the domestic violence offense included a 2 display of unusual cruelty by the offender during commission 3 of the crime. 4 (10) Behavioral characteristics that contribute to the 5 offender's conduct. 6 (d) Submission of report by board.--The board shall submit a 7 written report containing its assessment to the court no later 8 than 30 days after the assessment was ordered. 9 (e) Court review of findings.--Upon receipt of the board's 10 report, the court shall determine if the offender is a domestic 11 violence predator. The determination shall be based on evidence 12 presented at a hearing held prior to sentencing and before the 13 trial judge. The offender and district attorney shall be given 14 notice of the hearing and an opportunity to be heard, the right 15 to call witnesses, including expert witnesses, and the right to 16 conduct cross-examination. The offender shall have the right to 17 counsel and to have an attorney appointed to represent him if he 18 cannot afford one. 19 (f) Subsequent review.--No sooner than one year prior to 20 release from a State or county correctional facility and in 21 five-year intervals thereafter, an offender designated a 22 domestic violence predator may petition a court having original 23 jurisdiction in the matter for reconsideration. The court may 24 request a new report by the board and enter an order terminating 25 the designation, in which case the court shall notify the 26 Pennsylvania State Police. 27 § 9605. Other registration requirements. 28 (a) Registration of domestic violence predators.--A domestic 29 violence predator shall be required to register all current 30 addresses with the Pennsylvania State Police upon release from 20070H1457B1804 - 6 -
1 incarceration, upon parole from a State or county correctional 2 facility or upon commencing a sentence of intermediate 3 punishment. Registration shall continue unless a court 4 terminates designation under section 9604(f) (relating to 5 designation of domestic violence predators). 6 (b) Court information for all offenders.--At the time of 7 sentencing, the court shall inform offenders designated in 8 section 9603 (relating to registration of certain offenders for 9 ten years) and domestic violence predators designated in 10 subsection (a) of the provisions of this chapter. The court 11 shall: 12 (1) Specifically inform the offender of the duty to 13 register and obtain the information required for each 14 registration. 15 (2) Specifically inform the offender of the duty to 16 inform the Pennsylvania State Police within ten days if the 17 offender changes residence. 18 (3) Specifically inform the offender of the duty to 19 register with a new law enforcement agency if the offender 20 moves to another state no later than ten days after 21 establishing residence in another state. 22 (4) Order the fingerprints and photograph of the person 23 to be provided to the Pennsylvania State Police upon 24 sentencing. 25 (5) Require the offender to read and sign a form stating 26 that the duty to register under this chapter has been 27 explained. If the offender is unable to read, the court shall 28 certify that the duty to register was explained to the 29 offender and the offender indicated an understanding of the 30 duty. 20070H1457B1804 - 7 -
1 (c) Correctional facilities and parole authorities.--When an 2 offender is about to be released from incarceration or paroled 3 from a State or county correctional facility, the prison 4 official of the State or county correctional facility, no later 5 than ten days prior to the release or parole of the offender, 6 shall again provide the offender with notice of the duty to 7 register with the Pennsylvania State Police under this chapter. 8 (d) Penalty.--An offender who fails to register as required 9 in this section commits a felony of the third degree. 10 § 9606. Verification of residence. 11 (a) Quarterly verification.--The Pennsylvania State Police 12 shall verify the residence of domestic violence predators every 13 90 days through use of a nonforwardable verification form to the 14 last reported address. The form shall be returned by the 15 offender within ten days. 16 (b) Annual verification.--The Pennsylvania State Police 17 shall verify the residence of offenders designated in section 18 9603 (relating to registration of certain offenders for ten 19 years), annually through the use of a residence verification 20 form. The form shall be returned by the offender within ten 21 days. 22 (c) Notification of address change.--A change of address of 23 an offender required to register under this chapter reported to 24 the Pennsylvania State Police shall be immediately reported by 25 the Pennsylvania State Police to the appropriate law enforcement 26 agency having jurisdiction over the offender's new place of 27 residence. The Pennsylvania State Police shall, if the offender 28 changes residence to another state, notify the law enforcement 29 agency having jurisdiction of the offender's new place of 30 residence. 20070H1457B1804 - 8 -
1 (d) Failure to provide verification.--If an offender fails 2 to provide verification of residence within the required ten-day 3 period, the Pennsylvania State Police shall immediately notify 4 the local municipal police department of the offender's last 5 verified residence. The local municipal police shall locate the 6 offender and place the offender under arrest. The Pennsylvania 7 State Police shall assume responsibility for locating the 8 offender and making the arrest in jurisdictions where there is 9 no local municipal police force. The Pennsylvania State Police 10 shall assist any local municipal police department requesting 11 assistance with locating and arresting an offender who fails to 12 verify his residence. 13 (e) Penalty.--An offender who fails to verify his residence 14 as required in this section commits a felony of the third 15 degree. 16 § 9607. Victim notification. 17 (a) Duty to inform victim.-- 18 (1) If an offender is determined to be a domestic 19 violence predator by a court order under section 9604(e) 20 (relating to designation of domestic violence predators), the 21 local municipal police department or, if there is no local 22 municipal police department, the Pennsylvania State Police 23 shall give written notice to the victim of the offender 24 within 72 hours after the offender registers initially or 25 notifies the Pennsylvania State Police of an address change. 26 The notice shall contain the offender's name and the address 27 or addresses where the offender resides. 28 (2) A victim may waive the right to be informed under 29 paragraph (1) by providing the local municipal police 30 department or, if there is no local municipal police 20070H1457B1804 - 9 -
1 department, the Pennsylvania State Police with a written 2 request. 3 (b) Public information.--Information provided under 4 subsection (a) shall be available to the general public upon 5 request. 6 (c) Offenders not designated as domestic violence 7 predators.--If an offender is not determined to be a domestic 8 violence predator, the victim shall be notified under the act of 9 November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims 10 Act. 11 § 9608. Immunity for good faith conduct. 12 The following entities shall not be held liable for damages 13 arising from a good faith discretionary release or dissemination 14 of or good faith failure to release or disseminate information 15 under this section: 16 (1) The Pennsylvania State Police and local law 17 enforcement agencies and their agents and employees. 18 (2) District attorneys and their agents and employees. 19 (3) Directors and employees of county children and youth 20 agencies. 21 (4) The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole and 22 its agents and employees. 23 § 9609. Duties of Pennsylvania State Police. 24 (a) General rule.--The Pennsylvania State Police shall: 25 (1) Create and maintain a State registry of offenders 26 pursuant to section 9603 (relating to registration of certain 27 offenders for ten years). 28 (2) In consultation with the Attorney General and the 29 Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, promulgate 30 guidelines necessary for administration of this chapter. 20070H1457B1804 - 10 -
1 (3) Within 72 hours of receiving a registration, notify 2 the chief law enforcement officer of the police department 3 having primary jurisdiction of the municipality in which an 4 offender resides that the offender is registered with the 5 Pennsylvania State Police under this chapter. 6 (4) Immediately forward to the Federal Bureau of 7 Investigation information received from the Pennsylvania 8 Board of Probation and Parole under this chapter and the 9 fingerprints of the domestic violence predator. 10 (b) Publication.--Regulations under this chapter shall be 11 published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin no later than one year 12 after the effective date of this section. 13 § 9610. Duties of Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. 14 The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole shall: 15 (1) Formulate a process to be followed by State and 16 county prison and probation and parole personnel when 17 informing offenders of their duties and responsibilities 18 under this chapter. 19 (2) Obtain the following information concerning each 20 offender to whom this chapter applies: 21 (i) Name, including any aliases. 22 (ii) Identifying factors. 23 (iii) Anticipated future residence. 24 (iv) Offense history. 25 (v) Documentation of treatment received for mental 26 abnormalities and personality disorders. 27 (3) Transmit the information in paragraph (2) to the 28 Pennsylvania State Police without delay for immediate entry 29 into the State registry of domestic violence offenders and 30 the criminal history record of the offender as provided in 18 20070H1457B1804 - 11 -
1 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating to criminal history record 2 information). 3 § 9611. Board. 4 (a) Establishment.--The Domestic Violence Predator 5 Assessment Board is hereby established and shall be composed of 6 three persons, including a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a 7 criminal justice expert, each of whom shall have a minimum of 8 ten years of experience and specialized training in the behavior 9 and treatment of violent offenders. 10 (b) Appointment.--The Governor shall appoint the 11 psychiatrist and psychologist board members, and the Attorney 12 General shall appoint the criminal justice expert. All 13 appointments shall be made within 30 days of the effective date 14 of this section. 15 (c) Term of office.--Members of the board shall serve four- 16 year terms. 17 (d) Compensation.--Members of the board shall be compensated 18 at a rate of $125 per day and receive reimbursement for their 19 actual and necessary expenses while performing the business of 20 the board. The chairman shall receive $500 additional 21 compensation per year. 22 (e) Staff.--Support staff for the board shall be provided by 23 the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. 24 § 9612. Domestic violence predators. 25 (a) Lifetime parole; counseling.--Notwithstanding any other 26 provision of law, a person designated as a domestic violence 27 predator under this chapter shall remain on lifetime parole when 28 released from a State or county correctional facility unless the 29 court terminates the designation under section 9604(f) (relating 30 to designation of domestic violence predators). The offender 20070H1457B1804 - 12 -
1 shall be required to attend at least monthly counseling sessions 2 in a program approved by the board and be financially 3 responsible for all fees assessed from such counseling sessions. 4 If the offender can establish to the satisfaction of the court 5 inability to pay for counseling sessions, the offender shall 6 attend the sessions and the parole office shall pay the 7 requisite fees. 8 (b) Lifetime registration.-- 9 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an 10 offender designated as a domestic violence predator under 11 this chapter shall register for life if the offender: 12 (i) is convicted of a subsequent domestic violence 13 offense requiring registration; or 14 (ii) enters this Commonwealth after the effective 15 date of this chapter and has a conviction in another 16 jurisdiction that would have required registration if 17 committed in Pennsylvania. 18 (2) If a conviction is vacated and an acquittal or final 19 discharge is entered after it has been determined that this 20 section applies, the offender shall have the right to 21 petition the sentencing court for reconsideration if this 22 section would not have applied except for the conviction 23 which was vacated. 24 (c) Authority of court in sentencing.--There shall be no 25 authority in any court to impose on an offender to which this 26 section is applicable any lesser sentence than provided for in 27 subsection (b), to place such offender on probation or to 28 suspend sentence. Nothing in this section shall prevent the 29 sentencing court from imposing a sentence greater than that 30 provided in this section. Sentencing guidelines promulgated by 20070H1457B1804 - 13 -
1 the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing shall not supersede 2 the mandatory sentence provided in this section. 3 (d) Appeal by Commonwealth.--If a sentencing court refuses 4 to apply this section when applicable, the Commonwealth shall 5 have a right to appellate review. The appellate court shall 6 vacate the sentence and remand the case to the sentencing court 7 for the imposition of a sentence in accordance with this section 8 if it finds that the sentence was imposed in violation of this 9 section. 10 § 9613. Exemption from notification. 11 Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to impose a duty 12 on a person licensed under the act of February 19, 1980 (P.L.15, 13 No.9), known as the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, 14 or an employee of the person, to disclose information regarding 15 an offender required to register under this chapter. 16 Section 2. This act shall take effect in six months. E31L42VDL/20070H1457B1804 - 14 -