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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2010
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Senator Orie and Senator Rafferty Bill to Implement National Adam Walsh Child Safety Act Unanimously Reported from Committee

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) seeking to protect children from sexual predators  and establish federally mandated national standards to strengthen sex offender registration was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

Senate Bill 428 seeks to have Pennsylvania implement the national Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, also known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

"The Adam Walsh Act is crucial to protecting our children from predators because it seeks to create a national standard for sex offender registries -- registries that are available on the Internet, and have uniform enforcement," Orie said.  "We need to have a strong and coordinated system in place to protect our children from predators."

"The act also provides stricter registration requirements for convicted sex offenders as well as keeping their information more current.  The convicted offender will have to register in person and the worst offenders will have to check in more frequently – ensuring that they don't slip through the cracks," Rafferty added. "We are hopeful for continued consideration of Senate Bill 428 in the Senate and House so that the process may move forward."

CONTACT:

Mike Sarfert, Chief Counsel
(717) 787-6538