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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 8, 2017 12:28 PM
From:	Senator Lawrence M. Farnese, Jr.
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Public Pension Forfeiture for Megan's Law Offenses

In the near future, I will be reintroducing legislation that amends the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act to prohibit public officials and employees convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to any offense against a minor requiring registration under Megan’s Law, 42 Pa.C.S. §9795.1, from collecting retirement benefits. I originally introduced this legislation after a Philadelphia Daily News report from 2011 revealed that former city employees convicted of sex crimes against children were still collecting pensions. Shortly after, the sordid details of the Sandusky case came to light and the need for this type of explicit prohibition became even more necessary. Currently, Pennsylvania law bars public officials and employees that are convicted of or plead guilty or no defense to crimes related to public office or employment from receiving retirement or other benefit payments, but there are no provisions that require public officials and employees who are guilty of an offense committed against a minor that requires registration under Megan’s law to forfeit their right to retirement and other benefit payments. The duty of public officials and employees to serve the best interests of the citizens of Pennsylvania is of the utmost importance and that duty is obliterated when a crime requiring registration under Megan’s Law is committed. Therefore, I believe it is imperative that offenders who commit these types of crimes are not afforded the same benefits as public servants who abide by the law.

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