Scarnati Pushes Tougher Penalties for Child Molestation

HARRISBURG –State Senator Joe Scarnati of the 25th Senatorial District announced that Senate Bill 944, also dubbed as Jessica's Law officially passed the Senate. Scarnati co-sponsored the bill which was voted on and approved earlier this week.

"I wanted to see this pushed through the legislature before the end of the fiscal year," said Scarnati. "It was imperative that we take quick and decisive action to protect our most precious resource, our children. Severe penalties are absolutely necessary to keep our kids safe and miscreant pedophiles off the street."

The bill requires a mandatory minimum sentencing of 25 years for adult sexually violent predators who molest children under the age of 12. In addition, these predators will be subject to obligatory monitoring through a Global Positioning System for the remainder of their lives. If convicted a second time, they will serve a 50-year prison term.

Governor Jeb Bush of Florida has recently signed on to similar legislation. Now a national campaign is underway to pass this law in the remaining 49 states.

This legislation has its roots in the kidnapping and murder of nine year-old Jessica Lunsford of Florida. "Predators without conscience have freely roamed our cities, towns and rural areas far too long and they need to understand the dire consequences of their mindless crimes," said Scarnati.

Also earlier this week, legislation known as Megan's Law passed the Senate with a 50-0 vote. The previous law required sexual predators to merely register the county, town and zip code in which they live. Scarnati has championed and co-sponsored Senate Bill 1054, which now makes sexual offenders' names and specific addresses available to the general public.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of both pieces of legislation. Keeping our communities safe is and must continue to be a top priority" observed Scarnati. "The intruder who chooses to become a predator must know that he will assuredly lose his freedom if he assaults a child. Such acts of unspeakable violence perpetrated upon our young people must be dealt with swiftly and harshly."

Both bills are now in the House for consideration.