8/7/01

Bard Seeks to Fix Hole In Megan’s Law

 

            HARRISBURG—Montgomery County lawmaker Rep. Ellen M. Bard (R-153) has introduced legislation that mends “a troubling flaw” in Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law.

            Under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, police are prohibited from telling neighbors about a sex offender’s presence unless the court has deemed the person a “sexually violent predator.” In weighing whether or not to classify an offender as sexually violent, the court takes into consideration the nature of the crime committed, the age of the victim and patterns of abuse.

            Bard said.  “Most parents and others I’ve talked to have said clearly they would want to know if a convicted sex offender was living in their neighborhood, regardless of whether the court has placed them into a special category of deviancy.”

            Under Bard’s legislation, all convicted child sex offenders, regardless of the nature of their crime, are required to register all current and intended residences with the Pennsylvania State Police.

            “If we truly want to protect youngsters from the threat of sex offenders, we must know where the threat exists,” Bard said. “I am going to work vigorously to move my bill through the General Assembly because change is needed to better protect our children.”

            Bard’s bill, HB 1746, is being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee.