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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 8, 2017 10:41 AM
From: Representative Daryl D. Metcalfe
To: All House members
Subject: Residency Restrictions for Sexual Offenders
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would establish a residency restriction for sexual offenders registered under Megan’s Law. Currently, under Pennsylvania Law, there are no residency restrictions for sexual offenders other than the requirement to notify the school district a sexual predator resides in and every school within a one mile radius of said residence.

My legislation would require a minimum of 1,000 feet between a Megan’s Law registrant’s residence and any public school, private school, parochial school, licensed pre-school program, certified day care center, registered family in home day care, public recreation center or playground and from school bus stop.

This legislation also provides for an exemption for any Megan’s law registrant who currently owns or leases real estate. Those who qualify for the exemption would not be required to sell or otherwise dispose of any real estate, home or real property or to cancel any lease of real property. To qualify for the exemption, the individual must be able to provide proof that they resided there prior to the effective date of the bill.

In addition, there are also exceptions made in the legislation for those sexual offenders that reside in a hospital, a nursing home or similar entity, mental health facility or temporary lodging that is less than 15 consecutive days.

Finally, the legislation will also require the board of school directors of any school which provides transportation to students, or similar private entity, to annually utilize the Megan’s Law website maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police in choosing their yearly bus stop locations. If a registered sex offender is found to be living within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop and is legally deemed exempt from the residency restrictions, my legislation would require the board of school directors to take the following actions:
  • Notify each law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the bus stop.
  • Notify each law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the school district.
  • Notify the parents of each student who will be required to get on and off the bus that fall within the 1,000 feet.
This legislation is to ensure that the authorities, parents and board of school directors are up-to-date on the locations of registered sex offenders in proximity to the bus stops and to provide a 1,000 foot boundary prohibiting sex offenders from moving near the educational & recreational facilities and bus stops that our children use.

If you have any questions please contact Gina Deppen at gdeppen@pahousegop.com or 717-783-1707.



Introduced as HB1892