Source: penncapital-star.com 11/10/25 A two-hour state Senate committee hearing explored the use of artificial intelligence to create images and videos depicting children — sometimes real, sometimes “synthetic” — in sexually suggestive poses or acts. Possession of these kinds of images is already illegal in Pennsylvania, but the technology continues to develop faster than legislation can keep up. Protecting children “from the harmful aspects of AI” is an ongoing goal for Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), whose newly authored bill was the focus of Monday’s Senate Majority Policy meeting. “We want to…
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PA: Stuck in 1995 Rally Marks 30 Years of Failed Policies
Source: parsol.org 10/28/25 HARRISBURG, PA – October 28, 2025 – The Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL) Advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda today to mark thirty years since the enactment of Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law and to call for modernization of the state’s sexual offense laws which were signed into law by then- Governor Tom Ridge on October 21, 1995. “Our lives have changed since 1995. You’ll all recognize Microsoft’s groundbreaking system, Windows 95. But is anyone still using that? Pennsylvania’s registry laws are stuck in 1995 while everything else…
Read MorePA: Being suspected of child abuse can land you in this Pa. database — even without a conviction
Source: timesleader.com 10/2/25 To protect kids, Pennsylvania maintains a registry of people convicted and suspected of child abuse and neglect. The registry is used for background checks across the commonwealth, and in theory, it keeps those who could harm children away from schools, workplaces and other sensitive settings. But the state places people on the list without legal proceedings in which they or an attorney can mount a defense. A lawsuit pending in Commonwealth Court alleges this violates a person’s right to due process and reputation under the Pennsylvania Constitution. As that…
Read MorePA: Rep. aims to prohibit sex offenders from becoming parents through surrogacy
Source: wtaj.com 7/30/25 A Pennsylvania Representative announced plans to introduce legislation that would address a gap in the Commonwealth’s child protection laws. The bill, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler, Lawrence), aims to close a loophole that allows registered sex offenders to become parents through surrogacy. While the current law prohibits registered sex offenders from adopting or fostering a child, surrogacy arrangements are not covered by these prohibitions. … “This loophole was recently brought to light in a deeply disturbing case in which a Tier I sexual offender – who…
Read MorePA: NIMBY on full display in Decatur Township are residents brainstorm “work arounds” to displace registrants
Source: Thanks to FAC for finding the article on lewistownsentinel.com McCLURE — The Decatur Township Board of Supervisors were flooded with questions and concerns from dozens of residents regarding an alleged halfway house specifically for registered sex offenders that was said to be within the municipality during the board’s meeting Monday. “I am going to start by what the township is aware of at this time,” shared Supervisor Mark Wolfgang. “We are brought into the loop at the same time most of you were because of Facebook.” Supervisors said they…
Read MorePA: Pennsylvania woman who wrongfully accused stranger of rape and kidnapping is sentenced to jail
Source: nypost.com 4/3/25 A Pennsylvania woman who admitted to fabricating kidnapping and rape allegations against a stranger whom she “specifically targeted” because she thought he was “creepy” last year is paying for her lies. Anjela Borisova Urumova, 20, was sentenced to from 45 days to 23 months in Bucks County Correctional Facility on Tuesday by Judge Stephen A. Corr, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. She was also sentenced to one year of probation, ordered to have no contact with the victim, pay him $3,600 in restitution, and is required to undergo…
Read MorePA: Testimony on House Hearing on HB 77: Megan’s Law Residence Restrictions
Source: aclupa.org 9/12/23 Session: 2023-2024 Hearing: House Judiciary Committee | Hearing on HB 77: Megan’s Law residence restrictions September 12, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. Veronica Miller, Senior Policy Counsel for Criminal Legal Reform, testified on behalf of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. To watch the hearing or read testimonies of all participants, click here. Bill summary: House Bill 77 would prohibit an individual classified as a sexually violent predator (SVP) from residing within 2,500 feet of a public school, private school, parochial school or daycare center for the duration of their required registration period.…
Read MorePA: Efficacy of sex offender residency rules questioned in Pa. House hearing
Source: pennlive.com 9/12/23 A bill that would restrict where certain sex offenders could live in Pennsylvania got a skeptical reception at a House hearing on Tuesday, with discussion centering around whether such measures actually increase public safety. The House Judiciary Committee held an informational session Tuesday on House Bill 77, which would require that anyone who has been adjudicated as a “sexually violent predator” under Pennsylvania’s sex crimes law could not live within 2,500 feet of a school or child care center. Although judges can impose residency restrictions on a…
Read MorePA: Megan’s Law hearing canceled
Source: altoonamirror.com 5/12/23 HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County Senior Judge Timothy M. Sullivan won’t be hearing arguments today on the constitutionality of the state’s law requiring sex offenders to regularly register their addresses and other information with state police. Because the state Supreme Court is taking up the constitutional issue on May 23 when it reviews a Chester County case, today’s hearing before Sullivan was canceled. Decisions by the state Supreme Court, expected after the May 23 arguments in Commonwealth v. Torsilieri, are likely to be influential on Blair County cases.…
Read MorePA: Hampton mom’s push to restrict where sex offenders live gets lawmakers’ support
Source: cbsnews.com 3/27/23 HAMPTON, Pa. (KDKA) – Violent sexual predators are living just steps away from playgrounds and elementary schools right here in our area. It’s a common yet false belief that sex offenders can’t come close, or live close, to our kids. “Anyone in Pennsylvania should be thinking about this issue, especially if they have children because there are a lot of schools and daycares in Pennsylvania, and this could be happening anywhere.” There’s actually nothing to stop sex offenders from coming too close for comfort. Currently, Pennsylvania is…
Read MorePA: Superior Court finds no vindictiveness by judge, Bedford DA
Source: altoonamirror.com 2/16/23 An opinion handed down by the Pennsylvania Superior Court this week has found that a Bedford County man failed to prove his new minimum sentence of 26.5 years on child abuse charges — more than double his original sentence for the crimes — was based on the “vindictivness” of the judge and district attorney. Mark Allen _____, 53, who is serving his sentence in the State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands, sought to show that his new and much tougher sentence was unconstitutional because Bedford County authorities…
Read MorePA: Can you Ban Sex Offenders from Your Association? NO
Source: jdsupra.com 1/23/23 Lake Naomi Club, Inc. v. Rosado, ___ A.3d ____ (2022, Penn). Issue Can a private, planned community adopt a restrictive covenant that prohibits lifetime registered sex offenders from residing within that community? The Facts At Pocono Pines’ 2013 annual meeting, residents raised concerns about a sex offender who was living in Lake Naomi. Accordingly, on March 30, 2016, Pocono Pines (“Association”) amended its Declaration to provide that no registered Tier III sex offender “shall occupy or reside in any [l]ot, dwelling, or common area within the boundaries of”…
Read MorePA: Hampton Police Department hosting educational safety meeting for parents on Megan’s Law
Source: triblive.com 1/12/23 In her time working as the social service coordinator at the Hampton Police Department, Angela Kenbok has learned a lot of safety tips she teaches her own children. But for parents who work in different professions, Kenbok believes it’s important that they learn how to navigate the Megan’s Law website and tell their children the difference between good and bad strangers. Megan’s Law requires that the Pennsylvania State Police maintain a registry of sex offenders who live or visit an area to notify the public of their…
Read MorePA: Judge to weigh sex offender registration
Source: altoonamirror.com 1/12/23 A Blair County senior judge has scheduled arguments in May to consider a constitutional challenge to state law requiring convicted sex offenders to regularly register their addresses and related information with state police. In recent orders, Senior Judge Timothy M. Sullivan set an April 11 sentencing date for Colby James ____ of Tyrone and a May 12 hearing date to consider the constitutional challenges being raised on ____ ‘s behalf to the state’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. ____ , 22, who pleaded guilty in March…
Read MorePA: Scranton ordinance on where registered sex offenders can live remains contrary to court decision
Source: wfmz.com 12/17/22 SCRANTON — At 17, Zachary Pluko saw his future in the military or law enforcement. At 29, the vision is a memory. Pluko works at a Turkey Hill store to cover the monthly $600 rent he pays for a room on Moir Court. He and six other residents of 839-841 Moir Court mostly keep to themselves but they all share something in common: they’re registered sex offenders. Their residence, about 940 feet from a school, is contrary to an unenforced Scranton ordinance that remains part of the…
Read MorePA: After a registered sex offender moves near the Hampton Township school, the mother wants to change state laws
Source: localtoday.news 12/7/22 Flyers distributed by Hampton Township Police Department informed parents and people living in the Central Elementary School area that a registered sex offender had moved nearby. Community notification is required under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, but the law does not limit where an offender may live. After learning that this individual lived less than 1,200 feet from where her three children study and play during recess, Katie Wymard set to work to try to change the law. “They’re on break every day and it’s literally in his backyard,”…
Read MorePA: Judge grants work release for ex-guard who sexually assaulted Northampton County inmate
Source: lehighvalleylive.com 9/22/22 A Northampton County judge sentenced a former county prison guard to jail Wednesday for sexually assaulting a female inmate, but also granted the man immediate work release. Kelvin Myers, 41, of Forks Township, previously pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault and was in court Wednesday for his sentencing in the case. Judge Murray sentenced Myers to four months to 18 months in county prison. Under the institutional sexual assault charge, Myers must register as a sex offender for 15 years under Pennsylvania’s version of Megan’s Law. “This…
Read MorePA: Pennsylvania Court Decides State Registry Laws Violate State Constitution
Source: ACSOL A court in Pennsylvania decided this week that its state registry laws violate the state’s constitution for two reasons. First, the laws are based upon a false presumption that all registrants have a high risk of reoffending. Second, the laws are punitive. “This decision by a Pennsylvania court is the clearest statement available to date regarding how registries punish individuals convicted of a sex offense and yet are ineffective at preventing future sexual abuse,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “Although this decision is binding only in Pennsylvania,…
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