ABC27 WHTM Sex offender registration bill passes in state House

Sex offender registration bill passes in state House

A bill regulating sex offender registration has passed in the state House of Representatives, as per a federal law intended to strengthen registration standards and unify them across the country.

The bill complies with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. Any state that does not comply with its statutes forfeits 10 percent of its federal grant.

The act categorizes sex offenders into three tiers according to the severity of their offenses. Tier I offenders must register for 15 years, Tier II offenders for 25 years, and Tier III offenders for life.

Sex offenders not only must notify officials of a change in residence, employment, or school status under the act, but also when they change their phone number or email. They must also report any plans to change location for seven days or more or travel internationally.

Additionally, the act allows state police to launch a new feature on the sex offenders website that provides their information to the public given any ZIP code or geographic location.

"It has been a real team effort to get this bill passed.  We have been working diligently with the Senate and the governor to get this done," said Majority Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin)"It was truly a bipartisan effort."