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For Immediate
Release
11/29/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
"Jessica's Law" Championed by Rafferty
Enacted in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
championed by Senator John Rafferty (R-44) to help law enforcement agencies
prosecute and monitor sex offenders to protect children from abuse was signed
into law today.
Senate Bill 944,
known as Jessica's Law, is named for Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old
Florida girl who was kidnapped and murdered by a convicted sex
offender. The bill was sponsored by Rafferty and prime sponsor Sen.
Jane Orie of Allegheny County.
The new law sets a
minimum of 10 years in prison for anyone over 18 years who is convicted
of sexually assaulting a child under 16. It requires a 25-year term for
a second offense, and mandates a life sentence for anyone convicted of a
third offense.
"Society has
rightfully determined that these kinds of offenses are so egregious, and
the rate of repeat offenses is so high, that we must treat them
differently. Many survivors of child sex crimes are burdened for life
by the ordeal. As such, for protection and punishment, stiff penalties
are necessary and justified," said Rafferty.
To address the high
rate of recidivism, the new law permits parole and probation officials
to use GPS monitoring on offenders, said Rafferty.
The bill also
provides for the forfeiture of property used by sex offenders in the
commission of their crimes, including computers and cars. Money
collected from the forfeitures would be used to fund prosecutions and
help support treatment for victims.
According to the
Pennsylvania State Police, there are over 7,100 registered sex offenders
in the state. Last year, sexual assault centers around the Commonwealth
served approximately 38,000 people, nearly a third of whom were
children. Children under 12 account for 34 percent of all sexual
assaults.
"Passage of Jessica's Law in Pennsylvania is part of an ongoing process
to combat crimes that destroy lives and shake entire communities," said
Rafferty. "The more we learn about these crimes, the better we can
craft policy to prevent them. You can't read about Jessica Lunsford and
children like her without being moved to take action."
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