Bill keeps sex offenders away from schools
H.B 1882 was introduced by State Reps. Tina Davis and Pam Snyder
By Tom Waring
The Times
State Reps. Tina Davis and Pam Snyder introduced H.B. 1882, which would restrict convicted sex offenders from living near schools.
Under the bill, a sex offender registered under Megan’s Law would not be allowed to live within 2,500 feet of a public, private or parochial school, preschool or child-care facility in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police report there are 21,685 registered sex offenders living in the commonwealth, convicted of offenses ranging from possession of child pornography to rape.
“Right now, there are no laws preventing offenders from moving in right next door to the school attended by your child, grandchild, niece or nephew,” Davis said. “Our legislation aims to address this problem and keep kids safe at school and on their way to and from school.”
“We must do all we can to protect our most vulnerable citizens from those with a proven record of predatory — and in some cases violent — behavior,” Snyder said. “Our legislation simply mandates a buffer zone between an offender and a school or child-care facility to keep children safe. It’s past time Pennsylvania had a law like this on its books.” ••
