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For Immediate Release
6/20/06
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Pippy Bill to List Sex Offender Addresses on Web Site Approved by Senate

 Would add street addresses to county, hometown and zip code on Megan's Law site.  

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation sponsored by state Sen. John Pippy (R-37) that would require that all address information for sex offenders be listed on the state Megan's Law web site.    

The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

"Right now, there are thousands of registered sex offenders living in Pennsylvania, without the knowledge of their neighbors," Pippy said. "Senate passage of this measure moves us a step forward in the process of closing that gaping loophole."  

Senator Pippy's legislation, Senate Bill 1054, would require that the addresses of all of Pennsylvania's 7,800 convicted sex offenders be listed on the site, which is maintained by State Police. Presently, addresses of only about 100 offenders designated as a "sexually violent predator" are listed. The remainder includes only county, hometown and zip code.  

The measure would also require the site to note which sexual offenders committed their crime against children, Pippy said. The address for the Pennsylvania Megan's Law site is www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us.  

A "sexual offender" is a person who has been convicted of one of 14 sexually violent offenses, including rape and unlawful contact with a minor.  A "sexually violent predator" is a sexual offender who has been determined by the court to have a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes the person likely to engage in predatory sexually violent offenses. 

Senate Bill 1054 is part of a legislative child-protection initiative that includes another measure passed by the Senate today, Senate Bill 944, "Pennsylvania's Jessica's Law."  Sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie (R-40) and Sen. John Rafferty (R-44), the bill would strengthen the Pennsylvania Megan's Law by increasing penalties on sexual predators, requiring GPS monitoring of sexual predators, and adding stricter registration requirements for sexual predators. 

Megan's law is named for Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a neighbor who was a convicted sex offender.  Jessica's Law is named for Jessica Lunsford, a Florida girl kidnapped, raped and murdered by a sexual offender with a long criminal history.  

"We've come a long way in understanding sexual predators and how to protect the vulnerable, but we need to keep our laws updated to keep up with the threat," said Pippy. "These bills are part of that ongoing effort."  

CONTACT: Matt Campion (717) 787-5839