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News Regional & State News County district attorneys call for PA Megan's law loophole to be closed
Monday, 14 November 2011 00:33

County district attorneys call for PA Megan's law loophole to be closed

Written by  Mary Wilson

(Harrisburg) -- Some wiggle room exists in the state law that allows some sex offenders to go without registering with the commonwealth. So, county district attorneys are urging lawmakers to close the loophole. Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed says reading the state’s Megan’s Law requiring sex offenders to register, one would think the rules apply to all sex offenders. But, it doesn’t specifically call out sex offenders without a fixed address or offenders from out-of-state. Freed says the wording makes it impossible to prosecute offenders for failing to check in with State Police and adds the state can’t keep tabs on those living in Pennsylvania. "The larger problem is we’re becoming a haven for out of state sex offenders because they know they can live here, even if they’re out of registration in their home state," he says. "They can live here and not be prosecuted here because they know the loophole exists." The state House has already passed the proposal unanimously. A Senate GOP spokesman says his caucus is reviewing the bill and may try to combine it with necessary changes to sex offender registration that are mandated by federal law. If passed by the chamber, the plan to close the loophole could be sent to the governor by the end of the year.

Last modified on Monday, 14 November 2011 07:24

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