PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 2573, 3800

PRINTER'S NO.  3854

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

1926

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY R. TAYLOR, SAYLOR, BELFANTI, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CARROLL, EVERETT, GIBBONS, HARHAI, HESS, HORNAMAN, HOUGHTON, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MANN, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MENSCH, MOUL, MURT, O'NEILL, PALLONE, READSHAW, ROAE, ROCK, SANTARSIERO, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, AUGUST 12, 2009

  

  

AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 7, 2010   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and

2

Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

3

Statutes, further providing for registration of sexual

4

offenders.

5

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

6

hereby enacts as follows:

7

Section 1.  Section 4501 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania

8

Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:

9

§ 4501.  Definitions.

10

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

11

provisions of this article which are applicable to specific

12

chapters or other provisions of this article, the following

13

words and phrases, when used in this article shall have, unless

14

the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to

15

them in this section:

16

* * *

 


1

"Habitual locale."  As defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9792 (relating

2

to definitions).

3

* * *

4

"Registration information."  As defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9792

5

(relating to definitions).

6

"Sex offender registration law."  As defined in 42 Pa.C.S. §

7

9792 (relating to definitions).

8

Section 2.  Section 4915(a) introductory paragraph, (2) and

9

(3), (b), (c) and (e)(3)(ii) of Title 18 are amended and

10

subsections (a) and (c) are amended by adding paragraphs to

11

read:

12

§ 4915.  Failure to comply with registration of sexual offenders

13

requirements.

14

(a)  Offense defined.--An individual who is subject to

15

registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § [9795.1(a)] 9795.1 (relating to

16

registration) or [an individual who is subject to registration

17

under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9795.1(b)(1), (2) or (3)] who was subject to

18

registration under former 42 Pa.C.S § 9793 (relating to

19

registration of certain offenders for ten years) commits an

20

offense if he knowingly fails to:

21

* * *

22

(2)  verify his [address] registration information or be

23

photographed as required under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9796 (relating to

24

verification of [residence] registration information); [or]

25

(3)  provide accurate information when registering,

26

verifying or updating registration information under 42

27

Pa.C.S. § 9795.2 or [verifying an address under 42 Pa.C.S. §] 

28

9796; or

29

(4)  comply with any sexual offender counseling

30

conditions imposed by 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.4 (relating to

- 2 -

 


1

counseling of sexually violent predators) as a result of

2

being designated a sexually violent predator or imposed under

3

a sex offender registration statute following conviction in

4

another jurisdiction.

5

(b)  Grading for offenders [who must register for ten years] 

6

without lifetime registration.--

7

(2)  Except as set forth in paragraph (3), an individual

8

subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9795.1(a) or (a.1)

9

or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793, and required to register as an

10

offender for a period of time less than lifetime, who commits

11

a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) commits a felony of

12

the third degree.

13

(3)  An individual subject to registration under 42

14

Pa.C.S. § 9795.1(a) or (a.1) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793, and

15

required to register as an offender for a period of time less

16

than lifetime, who commits a violation of subsection (a)(1)

17

or (2) and who has previously been convicted of an offense

18

under subsection (a)(1) or (2) or a similar offense commits a

19

felony of the second degree.

20

(4)  An individual subject to registration under 42

21

Pa.C.S. § 9795.1(a) or (a.1) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793, and

22

required to register as an offender for a period of time less

23

than lifetime, who violates subsection (a)(3) commits a

24

felony of the second degree.

25

(c)  Grading for sexually violent predators and others with

26

lifetime registration.--

27

(2)  Except as set forth in paragraph (3), an individual

28

subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § [9795.1(b)(1), (2) 

29

or (3)] 9795.1(b) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793, and required

30

to register as a sexually violent predator or as an offender

- 3 -

 


1

for life, who commits a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2)

2

commits a felony of the second degree.

3

(3)  An individual subject to registration under 42

4

Pa.C.S. § [9795.1(b)(1), (2) or (3)] 9795.1(b) or former 42

5

Pa.C.S. § 9793, and required to register as a sexually

6

violent predator or as an offender for life, who commits a

7

violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) and who has previously

8

been convicted of an offense under subsection (a)(1) or (2)

9

or a similar offense commits a felony of the first degree.

10

(4)  An individual subject to registration under 42

11

Pa.C.S. § [9795.1(b)(1), (2) or (3)] 9795.1(b) or former 42

12

Pa.C.S. § 9793, and required to register as a sexually

13

violent predator or as an offender for life, who violates

14

subsection (a)(3) commits a felony of the first degree.

15

(5)  An individual subject to registration under 42

16

Pa.C.S. § 9795.1(b) and required to register as a sexually

17

violent predator who violates subsection (a)(4) commits a

18

felony of the third degree.

19

* * *

20

(e)  Arrests for violation.--

21

* * *

22

(3)  Prior to admitting an individual arrested for a

23

violation of this section to bail, the issuing authority

24

shall require all of the following:

25

* * *

26

(ii)  The individual must provide the Pennsylvania

27

State Police with all current or intended residences, all

28

habitual locales, all information concerning current or

29

intended employment, including all employment locations,

30

and all information concerning current or intended

- 4 -

 


1

enrollment as a student.

2

* * *

3

Section 3.  The definitions of "active notification,"

4

"approved registration site," "employed," "offender," "passive

5

notification," "residence" and "sexually violent predator" in

6

section 9792 of Title 42 are amended and the section is amended

7

by adding definitions to read:

8

§ 9792.  Definitions.

9

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter

10

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

11

context clearly indicates otherwise:

12

* * *

13

"Active notification."  Notification pursuant to section 9798

14

(relating to other notification) or any process whereby law

15

enforcement, pursuant to the laws of the United States or one of

16

its territories or possessions, another state, the District of

17

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a foreign nation,

18

notifies persons in the community in which the individual

19

resides or has a habitual locale, including any person

20

identified in section 9798(b), of the residence, habitual

21

locale, employment or school location of the individual.

22

"Approved registration site"  A site in this Commonwealth

23

approved by the Pennsylvania State Police as required by section

24

9799.1(2) (relating to [duties of] Pennsylvania State Police):

25

(1)  at which individuals subject to this subchapter may

26

register, verify information or be fingerprinted or

27

photographed as required by this subchapter;

28

(2)  which is capable of submitting fingerprints

29

utilizing the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification

30

System or in another manner and in such form as the

- 5 -

 


1

Pennsylvania State Police shall require; and

2

(3)  which is capable of submitting photographs utilizing

3

the Commonwealth Photo Imaging Network or in another manner

4

and in such form as the Pennsylvania State Police shall

5

require.

6

* * *

7

"Employed."  Includes a vocation or employment that is full-

8

time or part-time for a period of time exceeding [14] four days

9

during a seven-day period or for an aggregate period of time

10

exceeding [30] 14 days during any calendar year, whether

11

financially compensated, volunteered, pursuant to a contract or

12

for the purpose of government or educational benefit.

13

"Habitual locale."  A place where a transient can be located.

14

The term includes locations a transient frequents during the day

15

and night, such as parks, public buildings, restaurants and

16

libraries.

17

* * *

18

"Offender."  An individual required to register under section

19

9795.1(a), (a.1), (b)(1) or (2) (relating to registration) or

20

under former section 9793 (relating to registration of certain

21

offenders for ten years). The term includes an individual

22

considered to be an offender under section 9795.2(b) (relating

23

to registration procedures and applicability).

24

"Passive notification."  Notification pursuant to section

25

9798.1 (relating to information made available on the Internet)

26

or any process whereby persons, pursuant to the laws of the

27

United States or one of its territories or possessions, another

28

state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

29

or a foreign nation, are able to access information pertaining

30

to an individual [as a result of the individual having been

- 6 -

 


1

convicted or sentenced by a court for an offense similar to an

2

offense listed in section 9795.1 (relating to registration)] 

3

under a sex offender registration law in that jurisdiction. The

4

term includes a situation in which an individual is required to

5

register under a sex offender registration law in the

6

jurisdiction where convicted, sentenced, court martialed or

7

adjudicated as a juvenile and where access to that registration

8

information is limited to law enforcement only.

9

* * *

10

"Registration information."  Information required under this

11

subchapter to be provided to the Pennsylvania State Police by an

12

offender or a sexually violent predator.

13

"Residence."  A location where an individual resides or is

14

domiciled or intends to be domiciled for 30 [consecutive] 

15

cumulative days or more during a calendar year.

16

"Sex offender registration law."  Any of the following:

17

(1)  This subchapter.

18

(2)  A law in another jurisdiction which requires an

19

individual to register with a sex offender registry following

20

conviction or adjudication.

21

* * *

22

"Sexually violent predator."  A person who has been convicted

23

of a sexually violent offense as set forth in section 9795.1

24

(relating to registration) and who is determined to be a

25

sexually violent predator under section 9795.4 (relating to

26

assessments) due to a mental abnormality or personality disorder

27

that makes the person likely to engage in predatory sexually

28

violent offenses. The term includes:

29

(1)  an individual determined to be a sexually violent

30

predator where the determination occurred in the United

- 7 -

 


1

States or one of its territories or possessions, another

2

state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto

3

Rico, a foreign nation or by court martial; and

4

(2)  an individual considered to be a sexually violent

5

predator under section 9795.2(b) (relating to registration

6

procedures and applicability).

7

* * *

8

"Transient."  An individual subject to registration under

9

this subchapter who does not have a residence and is present in

10

this Commonwealth for seven or more consecutive days. The term

11

includes an individual considered to be a transient under

12

section 9795.2(a)(1) (relating to registration procedures and

13

applicability).

14

Section 4.  Section 9795.1(a) introductory paragraph of Title

15

42 is amended, subsection (b) is amended by adding a paragraph

16

and the section is amended by adding subsections to read:

17

§ 9795.1.  Registration.

18

(a)  Ten-year registration.--[The] Except as set forth in

19

subsection (a.1) or (b), the following individuals shall be

20

required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police for a

21

period of ten years:

22

* * *

23

(a.1)  Exception to ten-year registration.--Except as

24

provided under subsection (b), an individual considered to be an

25

offender pursuant to section 9795.2(b) (relating to registration

26

procedures and applicability) shall be required to register with

27

the Pennsylvania State Police for a period less than life, the

28

duration of which is to be determined under section 9795.2(b).

29

(b)  Lifetime registration.--The following individuals shall

30

be subject to lifetime registration:

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1

* * *

2

(5)  An individual who is considered to be a sexually

3

violent predator under section 9795.2(b) or who is otherwise

4

required to register for life under section 9795.2(b).

5

* * *

6

(d)  Failure to maintain a residence.--The fact that an

7

individual required to register under this subchapter does not

8

have a residence shall not relieve the individual from the duty

9

to register or any other duty imposed by this subchapter.

10

Section 5.  Section 9795.2(a)(1), (2) introductory paragraph,

11

(i), (ii) and (iv), (2.1), (3) and (4)(i), (b)(4) introductory

12

paragraph and (5) introductory paragraph, (c), (d) and (e) of

13

Title 42 are amended, subsection (a) is amended by adding a

14

paragraph and subsection (a)(2) is amended by adding

15

subparagraphs to read:

16

§ 9795.2.  Registration procedures and applicability.

17

(a)  Registration.--

18

(1)  Offenders and sexually violent predators shall be

19

required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police upon

20

release from incarceration, upon parole from a Federal, State

21

[or], county, municipal or private correctional [institution] 

22

facility or upon the commencement of a sentence of

23

intermediate punishment or probation or any other sentence of

24

nonconfinement. For purposes of registration, offenders and

25

sexually violent predators shall provide the Pennsylvania

26

State Police with all current or intended residences[,]; all

27

information concerning current or intended employment [and]; 

28

all information concerning current or intended enrollment as

29

a student[.]; and all information concerning vehicles owned

30

by, or registered to, the offender or sexually violent

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1

predator. An offender or sexually violent predator who does

2

not have a current or intended residence shall be considered

3

a transient. An offender or sexually violent predator who

4

provides an intended residence shall be considered a

5

transient if the offender or sexually violent predator is not

6

living at the registered intended residence within seven days

7

following the date of release, parole or commencement of

8

intermediate punishment, probation or nonconfinement

9

sentence.

10

(1.1)  If an offender or sexually violent predator is

11

required under this subchapter to register, update or verify

12

a residence, an offender or sexually violent predator who is

13

a transient shall be required to register, update or verify

14

his habitual locales. With respect to each habitual locale, a

15

transient shall be required to provide an address unless the

16

habitual locale has no address, in which case a transient

17

shall be required to provide a specific description of the

18

place. A transient shall also provide a place where the

19

transient is able to receive delivery of mail, including a

20

post office box or general delivery post office location. In

21

addition to any other duty imposed under this subchapter,

22

including reporting requirements under section 9796 (relating

23

to verification of residence), a transient shall appear every

24

30 days at an approved registration site to complete the

25

forms designated by the Pennsylvania State Police to be used

26

for the purposes of complying with this subchapter, to update

27

or verify registration information and status as a transient

28

and, at the discretion of the approved registration site, to

29

be photographed.

30

(2)  For purposes of this paragraph, offenders and

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1

sexually violent predators shall appear at an approved

2

registration site to complete the form designated by the

3

Pennsylvania State Police to be used for purposes of

4

complying with this subchapter. In the case of an offender

5

entering or being released or transferred from a residential

6

reentry or correctional facility, the administrator of the

7

facility or his designee shall assist in completing the forms

8

designated by the Pennsylvania State Police to be used for

9

purposes of complying with this subchapter and, immediately

10

upon collection, forward all the forms to the Pennsylvania

11

State Police. Offenders and sexually violent predators shall

12

inform the Pennsylvania State Police within 48 hours of:

13

(i)  Any establishment or change of residence or

14

establishment of an additional residence or residences.

15

(ii)  [Any] Becoming employed or any change of

16

employer or employment location for a period of time that

17

will exceed [14] four days during a seven-day period or

18

for an aggregate period of time that will exceed [30] 14 

19

days during any calendar year, or termination of

20

employment.

21

* * *

22

(iv)  Becoming [employed or] enrolled as a student if

23

the person has not previously provided that information

24

to the Pennsylvania State Police.

25

(v)  Becoming a transient.

26

(vi)  Entering, being released or transferred from a

27

Federal, State, county, municipal or private correctional

28

facility, including a residential reentry facility, due

29

to arrest, detainer, parole violation, probation

30

violation or sentence of incarceration, if the person's

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1

stay exceeds 48 hours.

2

(vii)  No longer residing, being domiciled, employed

3

or being enrolled as a student in this Commonwealth.

4

(2.1)  Registration with a new law enforcement agency

5

shall occur no later than 48 hours after establishing

6

residence in another state or after moving to another state

7

but not establishing a residence there.

8

(3)  The [ten-year] registration period required in

9

section 9795.1(a) and (a.1) (relating to registration) shall

10

be tolled when an offender is [recommitted for a parole

11

violation or sentenced to an additional term of imprisonment] 

12

incarcerated, and all time spent in incarceration shall not

13

be counted toward an offender's registration period. In such

14

cases, the [Department of Corrections or] Federal, State, 

15

county, municipal or private correctional facility shall

16

notify the Pennsylvania State Police of the admission,

17

release and transfer of the offender.

18

(4)  This paragraph shall apply to all offenders and

19

sexually violent predators:

20

(i)  Where the offender or sexually violent predator

21

was granted parole by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation

22

and Parole or the court or is sentenced to probation

23

[or], intermediate punishment or a punishment not

24

involving confinement, the board or county office of

25

probation and parole shall collect registration

26

information from the offender or sexually violent

27

predator and forward that registration information to the

28

Pennsylvania State Police. [The Department of Corrections

29

or county] If an offender or a sexually violent predator

30

is incarcerated in a Federal, State, county, municipal or

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1

private correctional facility, including a residential

2

reentry facility, the correctional facility shall not

3

release nor transfer the offender or sexually violent

4

predator until it receives verification from the

5

Pennsylvania State Police that [it has received] the

6

registration information has been received. Verification

7

by the Pennsylvania State Police may occur by electronic

8

means, including e-mail or facsimile transmission. Where

9

the offender or sexually violent predator is scheduled to

10

be released from a [State correctional facility or

11

county] correctional facility because of the expiration

12

of the maximum term of incarceration, the [Department of

13

Corrections or county] correctional facility shall

14

collect the information from the offender or sexually

15

violent predator no later than ten days prior to the

16

maximum expiration date. The registration information

17

shall, immediately upon collection, be forwarded to the

18

Pennsylvania State Police.

19

* * *

20

(b)  Individuals convicted or sentenced by a court or

21

adjudicated delinquent in jurisdictions outside this

22

Commonwealth or sentenced by court martial.--

23

(4)  An individual who [resides, is employed or is a

24

student] is employed, intends to be employed, is a student,

25

intends to be a student, resides, enters this Commonwealth

26

with the purpose of establishing a residence or is a

27

transient in this Commonwealth and who has been convicted of

28

or sentenced by a court or court martialed for a sexually

29

violent offense or a similar offense under the laws of the

30

United States or one of its territories or possessions,

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1

another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of

2

Puerto Rico or a foreign nation, or who was required to

3

register under a sexual offender statute in the jurisdiction

4

where convicted, sentenced or court martialed, shall register

5

at an approved registration site within 48 hours of the

6

individual's arrival in this Commonwealth. The provisions of

7

this subchapter shall apply to the individual as follows:

8

* * *

9

(5)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 63

10

(relating to juvenile matters) and except as provided in

11

paragraph (4), an individual who [resides, is employed or is

12

a student] is employed, intends to be employed, is a student,

13

intends to be a student, resides, enters this Commonwealth

14

with the purpose of establishing a residence or is a

15

transient in this Commonwealth and who is required to

16

register as a sex offender under the laws of the United

17

States or one of its territories or possessions, another

18

state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto

19

Rico or a foreign nation as a result of a juvenile

20

adjudication shall register at an approved registration site

21

within 48 hours of the individual's arrival in this

22

Commonwealth. The provisions of this subchapter shall apply

23

to the individual as follows:

24

* * *

25

(c)  Registration information to local police.--

26

(1)  The Pennsylvania State Police shall provide the

27

information obtained under this section and sections [9795.3] 

28

9795.3(a) (relating to sentencing court information) and 9796

29

(relating to verification of [residence] registration

30

information) to the chief law enforcement officers of the

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1

police departments of the municipalities in which the

2

individual will reside, be employed or enrolled as a student.

3

In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police shall provide this

4

officer with the address at which the individual will reside,

5

be employed or enrolled as a student following his release

6

from incarceration, parole or probation.

7

(2)  The Pennsylvania State Police shall provide notice

8

to the chief law enforcement officers of the police

9

departments of the municipalities notified pursuant to

10

paragraph (1) when an individual fails to comply with the

11

registration requirements of this section or section 9796 and

12

request, as appropriate, that these police departments assist

13

in locating and apprehending the individual.

14

(3)  The Pennsylvania State Police shall provide notice

15

to the chief law enforcement officers of the police

16

departments of the municipalities notified pursuant to

17

paragraph (1) when they are in receipt of information

18

indicating that the individual is no longer a transient or

19

will no longer reside, be transient, be employed or be

20

enrolled as a student in the municipality.

21

(d)  Penalty.--An individual subject to registration under

22

former section 9793 (relating to registration of certain

23

offenders for ten years) or section [9795.1(a) or (b)] 9795.1 

24

who fails to register or verify or update registration

25

information with the Pennsylvania State Police as required by

26

this section may be subject to prosecution under 18 Pa.C.S. §

27

4915 (relating to failure to comply with registration of sexual

28

offenders requirements).

29

(e)  Registration sites.--An individual subject to [section

30

9795.1] this subchapter shall register and submit to

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1

fingerprinting and photographing as required by this subchapter

2

at approved registration sites.

3

Section 6.  Sections 9795.3 and 9796 heading, (a), (b), (c)

4

and (e), 9797(a)(1), 9798(a)(1), (b) and (c), 9798.1(c)(1)(v)

5

and 9799(1) of Title 42 are amended to read:

6

§ 9795.3.  Sentencing court information.

7

(a)  Duty of sentencing court.--The sentencing court shall

8

inform offenders and sexually violent predators at the time of

9

sentencing of the provisions of this subchapter. The court

10

shall:

11

(1)  Specifically inform the offender or sexually violent

12

predator of the duty to register and provide the information

13

required for each registration, including verification as

14

required in section 9796(a) (relating to verification of

15

[residence)] registration information).

16

(2)  Specifically inform the offender or sexually violent

17

predator of the duty to inform the Pennsylvania State Police

18

within [ten days] 48 hours if the offender or sexually

19

violent predator changes or establishes a residence or

20

establishes an additional residence or residences, becomes a

21

transient, changes employer or employment location for a

22

period of time that will exceed [14 days] four days during

23

any seven-day period or for an aggregate period of time that

24

will exceed [30] 14 days during any calendar year or

25

terminates employment or changes institution or location at

26

which the person is enrolled as a student or terminates

27

enrollment.

28

(2.1)  Specifically inform the offender or sexually

29

violent predator of the duty to inform the Pennsylvania State

30

Police within [ten days] 48 hours of becoming employed or

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1

enrolled as a student if the [person] offender or sexually

2

violent predator has not previously provided that information

3

to the Pennsylvania State Police.

4

(2.2)  Specifically inform the offender or sexually

5

violent predator of the duty to inform the Pennsylvania State

6

Police that he is a transient if the offender or sexually

7

violent predator does not have or fails to maintain a

8

residence.

9

(3)  Specifically inform the offender or sexually violent

10

predator of the duty to register with a new law enforcement

11

agency if the offender or sexually violent predator moves to

12

another state no later than [ten days] 48 hours after

13

establishing residence in another state.

14

(4)  Order the fingerprints and photograph of the

15

offender or sexually violent predator to be provided to the

16

Pennsylvania State Police upon sentencing.

17

(5)  Specifically inform the offender or sexually violent

18

predator of the duty to register with the appropriate

19

authorities in any state in which the offender or sexually

20

violent predator is a transient, is employed, carries on a

21

vocation or is a student if the state requires such

22

registration.

23

(6)  Require the offender or sexually violent predator to

24

read and sign a form stating that the duty to register under

25

this subchapter has been explained. Where the offender or

26

sexually violent predator is incapable of reading, the court

27

shall certify the duty to register was explained to the

28

offender or sexually violent predator and the offender or

29

sexually violent predator indicated an understanding of the

30

duty.

- 17 -

 


1

(b)  Failure to provide.--Failure on the part of the court to

2

provide a sexually violent predator or offender with information

3

under this section shall not relieve that predator or offender

4

from the requirements of this subchapter.

5

§ 9796.  Verification of [residence] registration information.

6

(a)  Quarterly verification by sexually violent predators.--

7

The Pennsylvania State Police shall verify the [residence] 

8

registration information and compliance with counseling as

9

provided for in section 9799.4 (relating to counseling of

10

sexually violent predators) of sexually violent predators every

11

90 days through the use of a nonforwardable verification form to

12

the last reported residence. For the period of registration

13

required by section 9795.1 (relating to registration), a

14

sexually violent predator shall appear quarterly between January

15

5 and January 15, April 5 and April 15, July 5 and July 15 and

16

October 5 and October 15 of each calendar year at an approved

17

registration site to complete a verification form and to be

18

photographed.

19

* * *

20

(b)  Annual verification by offenders.--The Pennsylvania

21

State Police shall verify the [residence] registration

22

information of offenders. For the period of registration

23

required by section 9795.1, an offender shall appear within ten

24

days before each annual anniversary date of the offender's

25

initial registration under former section 9793 (relating to

26

registration of certain offenders for ten years) or section

27

9795.1 at an approved registration site to complete a

28

verification form and to be photographed.

29

* * *

30

(c)  Notification of law enforcement agencies of change of

- 18 -

 


1

residence or habitual locale.--A change of residence or habitual

2

locale of an offender or sexually violent predator required to

3

register under this subchapter reported to the Pennsylvania

4

State Police shall be immediately reported by the Pennsylvania

5

State Police to the appropriate law enforcement agency having

6

jurisdiction of the offender's or the sexually violent

7

predator's new place of residence or habitual locale. The

8

Pennsylvania State Police shall, if the offender or sexually

9

violent predator changes residence or habitual locale to another

10

state, notify the law enforcement agency with which the offender

11

or sexually violent predator must register in the new state.

12

* * *

13

(e)  Penalty.--An individual subject to registration under

14

former section 9793 or section 9795.1(a) or (b) who fails to

15

verify his [residence] registration information or to be

16

photographed as required by this section may be subject to

17

prosecution under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915 (relating to failure to

18

comply with registration of sexual offenders requirements).

19

* * *

20

§ 9797.  Victim notification.

21

(a)  Duty to inform victim.--

22

(1)  Where the individual is determined to be a sexually

23

violent predator by a court under section 9795.4 (relating to

24

assessments), the local municipal police department or the

25

Pennsylvania State Police where no municipal police

26

jurisdiction exists shall give written notice to the sexually

27

violent predator's victim when the sexually violent predator

28

registers initially and when he notifies the Pennsylvania

29

State Police of any change of residence or habitual locale.

30

This notice shall be given within 72 hours after the sexually

- 19 -

 


1

violent predator registers or notifies the Pennsylvania State

2

Police of a change of address or habitual locale. The notice

3

shall contain the sexually violent predator's name and the

4

address [or], addresses or habitual locales where he resides

5

or may be found.

6

* * *

7

§ 9798.  Other notification.

8

(a)  Notice by municipality's chief law enforcement

9

officer.--Notwithstanding any of the provisions of 18 Pa.C.S.

10

Ch. 91 (relating to criminal history record information), the

11

chief law enforcement officer of the full-time or part-time

12

police department of the municipality where a sexually violent

13

predator lives shall be responsible for providing written notice

14

as required under this section.

15

(1)  The notice shall contain:

16

(i)  The name of the convicted sexually violent

17

predator.

18

(ii)  The address or addresses at which [he] the

19

sexually violent predator resides. If the sexually

20

violent predator is a transient, written notice under

21

this subparagraph shall include the municipality and

22

county containing the transient's habitual locale.

23

(ii.1)  The municipality, county and zip code in

24

which the sexually violent predator is employed.

25

(iii)  The offense for which [he] the sexually

26

violent predator was convicted, sentenced by a court,

27

adjudicated delinquent or court martialed.

28

(iv)  A statement that [he] the sexually violent

29

predator has been determined by court order to be a

30

sexually violent predator, which determination has or has

- 20 -

 


1

not been terminated as of a date certain.

2

(v)  A photograph of the sexually violent predator,

3

if available.

4

* * *

5

(b)  To whom written notice is provided.--The chief law

6

enforcement officer shall provide written notice, under

7

subsection (a), to the following persons:

8

(1)  Neighbors of the sexually violent predator. As used

9

in this paragraph, where the sexually violent predator lives

10

in a common interest community, the term "neighbor" includes

11

the unit owners' association and residents of the common

12

interest community. As used in this paragraph, where the

13

sexually violent predator is a transient, the term "neighbor"

14

shall mean the community, and the chief law enforcement

15

officer shall determine the appropriate method for providing

16

written notice.

17

(2)  The director of the county children and youth

18

service agency of the county where the sexually violent

19

predator resides or, if the sexually violent predator is a

20

transient, each county containing the transient's habitual

21

locale.

22

(3)  The superintendent of each school district and the

23

equivalent official for private and parochial schools

24

enrolling students up through grade 12 in the municipality

25

where the sexually violent predator resides or, if the

26

sexually violent predator is a transient, each municipality

27

containing the transient's habitual locale.

28

(3.1)  The superintendent of each school district and the

29

equivalent official for each private and parochial school

30

located within a one-mile radius of where the sexually

- 21 -

 


1

violent predator resides.

2

(4)  The licensee of each certified day care center and

3

licensed preschool program and owner/operator of each

4

registered family day care home in the municipality where the

5

sexually violent predator resides or, if the sexually violent

6

predator is a transient, each municipality containing the

7

transient's habitual locale.

8

(5)  The president of each college, university and

9

community college located within 1,000 feet of a sexually

10

violent predator's residence.

11

(c)  Urgency of notification.--The municipal police

12

department's chief law enforcement officer shall provide notice

13

within the following time frames:

14

(1)  To neighbors specified under subsection (b)(1),

15

notice shall be provided within five days after information

16

of the sexually violent predator's release date and residence

17

or habitual locale has been received by the chief law

18

enforcement officer. Notwithstanding the provisions of

19

subsections (a) and (b), verbal notification may be used if

20

written notification would delay meeting this time

21

requirement.

22

(2)  To the persons specified in subsection (b)(2), (3),

23

(4) and (5), notice shall be provided within seven days after

24

the chief law enforcement officer receives information

25

regarding the sexually violent predator's release date and

26

residence or habitual locale.

27

* * *

28

§ 9798.1.  Information made available on the Internet.

29

* * *

30

(c)  Information permitted to be disclosed regarding

- 22 -

 


1

individuals.--Notwithstanding 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating to

2

criminal history record information), the Internet website shall

3

contain the following information on each individual:

4

(1)  For sexually violent predators, the following

5

information shall be posted on the Internet website:

6

* * *

7

(v)  the municipality, county and zip code of any

8

employment location and, in the case of a transient, of

<--

9

any habitual locale;

10

* * *

11

§ 9799.  Immunity for good faith conduct.

12

The following entities shall be immune from liability for

13

good faith conduct under this subchapter:

14

(1)  The Pennsylvania State Police [and], local law

15

enforcement agencies, and agents and employees of the

16

Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement agencies.

17

* * *

18

Section 7.  Section 9799.1 heading, (2) and (4) of Title 42

19

are amended and the section is amended by adding paragraphs to

20

read:

21

§ 9799.1.  [Duties of] Pennsylvania State Police.

22

The Pennsylvania State Police shall:

23

* * *

24

(2)  In consultation with the Department of Corrections,

25

the Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Board of

26

Probation and Parole and the chairman and the minority

27

chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate and the

28

chairman and the minority chairman of the Judiciary Committee

29

of the House of Representatives, promulgate guidelines

30

necessary for the general administration of this subchapter.

- 23 -

 


1

These guidelines shall establish procedures to allow an

2

individual subject to the requirements of sections 9795.1

3

(relating to registration) [and], 9796 (relating to

4

verification of [residence] registration information) to

5

fulfill these requirements at approved registration sites

6

throughout this Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania State Police

7

shall publish a list of approved registration sites in the

8

Pennsylvania Bulletin and provide a list of approved

9

registration sites in any notices sent to individuals

10

required to register under section 9795.1. An approved

11

registration site shall be capable of submitting

12

fingerprints, photographs and any other information required

13

electronically to the Pennsylvania State Police. The

14

Pennsylvania State Police shall require that approved

15

registration sites submit fingerprints utilizing the

16

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System or in

17

another manner and in such form as the Pennsylvania State

18

Police shall require. The Pennsylvania State Police shall

19

require that approved registration sites submit photographs

20

utilizing the Commonwealth Photo Imaging Network or in

21

another manner and in such form as the Pennsylvania State

22

Police shall require. Approved registration sites shall not

23

be limited to sites managed by the Pennsylvania State Police

24

and shall include sites managed by local law enforcement

25

agencies that meet the criteria for approved registration

26

sites set forth in this paragraph.

27

* * *

28

(4)  Notify, within five business days of receiving the

29

offender's or the sexually violent predator's registration,

30

the chief law enforcement officers of the police departments

- 24 -

 


1

having primary jurisdiction of the municipalities in which an

2

offender or sexually violent predator is a transient, 

3

resides, is employed or enrolled as a student of the fact

4

that the offender or sexually violent predator has been

5

registered with the Pennsylvania State Police pursuant to

6

sections 9795.2 (relating to registration procedures and

7

applicability) and 9796 (relating to verification of

8

[residence] registration information).

9

* * *

10

(7)  The Pennsylvania State Police shall have standing

11

and shall be a party in any of the following:

12

(i)  A proceeding brought by an individual registered

13

under former section 9793 (relating to registration of

14

certain offenders for ten years) or section 9795.1 to be

15

removed from, or contesting their inclusion in, the State

16

registry of sexual offenders and sexually violent

17

predators.

18

(ii)  A proceeding to modify a court order concerning

19

the terms of an individual's registration under former

20

section 9793 or section 9795.1.

21

(8)  The Pennsylvania State Police may certify and send

22

to an authorized user, by electronic transmission or

23

otherwise, a certification of record or abstract of records

24

maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police regarding the

25

registration of an offender under this subchapter.

26

Permissible uses shall include certifications of an offenders

27

initial registration and verification history and history of

28

nonregistration or nonverification. The Pennsylvania State

29

Police may also certify electronically any documents

30

certified to it electronically. Authorized users shall

- 25 -

 


1

include State and local police, district attorneys, agents

2

and employees of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Office

3

of Attorney General and other persons or entities determined

4

by the Pennsylvania State Police and listed by notice in the

5

Pennsylvania Bulletin. In any proceeding before the courts or

6

administrative bodies of this Commonwealth, documents

7

certified by the Pennsylvania State Police under this section

8

and offered into evidence by an authorized user shall be

9

admissible into evidence.

10

Section 8.  Sections 9799.4 and 9799.9 of Title 42 are

11

amended to read:

12

§ 9799.4.  Counseling of sexually violent predators.

13

(a)  Attendance required.--For the period of registration

14

required by section 9795.1(b) (relating to registration), a

15

sexually violent predator shall be required to attend at least

16

monthly counseling sessions in a program approved by the board

17

and be financially responsible for all fees assessed from such

18

counseling sessions. The board shall monitor the compliance of

19

the sexually violent predator.

20

(b)  Indigence.--If the sexually violent predator can prove

21

to the satisfaction of the court that the person's income and

22

support is such that the person cannot afford to pay for the

23

counseling sessions, that person shall still attend the

24

counseling sessions and the [parole office] Pennsylvania board 

<--

25

Board of Probation and Parole shall pay the requisite fees. The

<--

26

court may create a standard petition for indigence for use by

27

sexually violent predators and the parole office Pennsylvania

<--

28

Board of Probation and Parole in the courts of this

29

Commonwealth. Filing fees for the determinations shall be

30

waived. Upon request of the parole office Pennsylvania Board of

<--

- 26 -

 


1

Probation and Parole, a sexually violent predator's indigence

2

status shall be reviewed by the court and a determination shall

3

be made by the court whether the individual will remain eligible

4

for funded counseling sessions.

5

§ 9799.9.  Photographs and fingerprinting.

6

An individual subject to former section 9793 (relating to

7

registration of certain offenders for ten years) or section

8

9795.1 (relating to registration) shall submit to fingerprinting

9

and photographing as required by this subchapter at approved

10

registration sites. Fingerprinting as required by this

11

subchapter shall, at a minimum, require submission of a full set

12

of fingerprints. Photographing as required by this subchapter

13

shall, at a minimum, require submission to photographs of the

14

face and any scars, marks, tattoos or other unique features of

15

the individual. Fingerprints and photographs obtained under this

16

subchapter may be maintained for use under this subchapter and

17

for general law enforcement purposes.

18

Section 9.  This act shall apply to the following:

19

(1)  All individuals required to register under 42

20

Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. H on or after the effective date of

21

this section.

22

(2)  All individuals required to register under 42

23

Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. H or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 prior to

24

the effective date of this section and whose registration has

25

not expired prior to the effective date of this section.

26

(3)  All individuals taken into custody or incarcerated

<--

27

on or after the effective date of this section and who, prior

28

to the effective date of this section, were convicted,

29

adjudicated or court martialed for an offense which would

30

have subjected the individual to register under 42 Pa.C.S. §

- 27 -

 


1

9795.1 if the conviction, adjudication or court martial had

2

occurred on or after the effective date of this section, but

3

only if the period of registration would not have expired

4

prior to the effective date of this section.

5

Section 13.  This act shall take effect as follows:

6

(1)  The amendment or addition of 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 4501 and

7

4915(a) introductory paragraph, (2), (3) and (4), (b)(2), (3)

8

and (4) and (c)(2), (3), (4) and (5) shall take effect in 60

9

days.

10

(2)  The amendment of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9798.1(c)(1)(v) shall

<--

11

take effect in 180 days.

12

(2) (3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect

<--

13

immediately.

- 28 -